Bid on Miami native Alexander Mijares’ original painting inspired by Pitbull’s 2014 FIFA World Cup song, “We Are One (Ole Ola),” and give back to TECHO Brasil.
We Are One by Alexander Mijares
The World Cup might be over, but we won’t soon forget the worldwide frenzy of fans that flocked to Brazil—and those huddled around flat-screens at the nearest sports bar.
As the excitement dies down, there’s one more way Miamians can pay tribute to the 2014 games. This week, South Florida-based artist Alexander Mijares, along with Mr. Worldwide himself—Miami native Armando Christian Perez a.k.a. Pitbull—are auctioning off the artwork created for the rapper's World Cup anthem, “We Are One (Ole Ola)” featuring Jennifer Lopez and Claudia Leitte.
Music video for Pitbull’s “We Are One (Ole Ola)”
Mijares’ original piece, named after Pitbull’s song, features Brazil’s Christ the Redeemer statue against the outline of the World Cup host country. “To me, the World Cup is a way the world can unite through a shared passion and love for not only the game of soccer, but for the love of their respective countries,” Mijares explained to us. “My piece was designed to show the power of the host country and its iconic Cristo Redentor symbol watching over us all.”
Left: Pitbull; Right: Alexander Mijares
The 32”x32” canvas signed by Mijares and Pitbull as well as 20 giclee prints at 24”x30” are up for auction through July 19, with 100% of the proceeds going to TECHO Brasil, a nonprofit that works to eliminate poverty by involving those affected and youth volunteers. Pitbull and Mijares have also collaborated for a limited-edition merchandise collection to benefit the organization.
We asked Mijares—who was chosen to create the World Cup anthem’s official artwork—why art and music really “Are One.” He told us, “In my opinion, art and music go hand-in-hand as they are both creative forms of expression. Art can make people dance in the same way that music can; the colors, strokes and the movement of the paint take on a sense of musicality. I love listening to music when I paint and find myself singing and dancing when I really get into it. I've come to find that you don’t have to know how to play an instrument to make music; I do it with a paint brush.”