The Tías Sports Hall has been displaying a large realistic mural by the Canarian artist Erik Air this week, who shows a reflection on sport, movement and emotions with anonymous and timeless female faces that transmit the strength and joy of all the municipality's sports schools.
As the muralist explains, the images are generated with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and later retouched "to humanize and intensify expressions and movements." "We didn't want to portray any specific girl so that the mural would be timeless and a representation of the values of sport," he clarified.
The artist participated this Wednesday in the public presentation of the mural, commissioned by the Tías Town Hall through the Department of Sports, with the presence of the mayor, José Juan Cruz, the first deputy mayor, Nicolás Saavedra, the Councilor for Sports, Ismael Cruz, councilors from the government group and representatives of sports clubs in the municipality.
"From the Tías Town Hall, we appreciate his unique vision and his ability to turn a wall into a message. This work is art, tribute and commitment to what we are as a community. Thanks to those who have made it possible. And, above all, congratulations to our athletes, because this mural is also theirs," said José Juan Cruz.
Ismael Cruz stressed that "this mural is a recognition of all the sports schools in the municipality, represented by the women's teams and with a clear message of support, energy and strength for all." "We also want to thank Erik for his professionalism and sensitivity when it comes to transforming an everyday space into an inspiring place," he added.
Erik Air, recognized as one of the best muralists in the world by the prestigious urban art platform Street Art Cities in 2023, also serves as an external tutor for company internships in the Mural Coating subject, both in the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of La Laguna and in the Fernando Estévez art school of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
In the artist's opinion, "any sport consists, in essence, of the creation of a bodily movement, which can be the final work or the initiator of a chain of events on which an expectation is created. Due to the competitive factor or the final objective inherent in any sport, these expectations are charged with emotions: we are moved inside by the moment a point is scored, witnessing a masterful play at a decisive moment, or the final triumph after a difficult match."