Eric Erazo
My stencil design was created to raise public awareness about the dangers of dumping waste into storm drains. Targeting the general public, the piece communicates a serious and bold message: if pollution continues, the line between marine life and man-made waste will become indistinguishable. The central image compares a plastic toy fish to an actual fish, blurring the difference between the two to provoke reflection. Accompanying the image is the stark question, "Fish or Plastic; Can you tell the difference?", prompting viewers to confront the consequences of pollution directly. Inspired by the street wise aesthetics of artists like Blek le Rat and Banksy, the design embraces a bold, minimal, and grunge-influenced style, using only black and red within a 2 ft x 2 ft stencil format for ease of reproduction Typography is a key element, incorporating versions in Spanish and Creole to reach a broader audience across Miami. This project is uniquely direct, easily reproducible, and asks viewers to consider whether they want a future where polluted waters render sea life and trash visually identical.
