lengua
madre
ruta
madre
ruta (a) madre
(x)uta madre
ruta madre
an interactive installation
Rutas or ruteras are repurposed American school buses used for public transportation in some Mexican cities, notably Ciudad Juárez. These buses are more than just an affordable means of transport; they’re an expression of local culture and creativity.
Drivers treat their rutas like a blank canvas, personalizing them with flashy colours, vinyl stickers, and hand-painted phrases filled with local slang, humor, and wisdom, making each one unique.
In this way, rutas have become a moving testament to the vibrant visual language and culture of the people of Ciudad Juárez.
Beyond being interactive, this is a collaborative installation brought to life through the contributions of many people.
A heartfelt thank you to:
Felipe Nolasco
assistance in measuring, vectorizing, constructing, and overall emotional support
David Rogelio Salais
+ Ana Corcuera
captured video footage from the streets of Juarez used as the background for the installation
Neto Galicia
administrator of @frasesderutas.jrz who helped compile images for the installation
Saira Carrasco
fellow student at Edinburgh Napier University, contributed an illustration of the installation's title, "Ruta Madre," in the style of traditional Mexican sign painting.
Community-submitted images:
@frasesderutas.jrz
@netosama
@el.nolasco
@papadakiti
@truefernie
@mappleyeah
@roberto.prieto19
@v_ray1912
Community-curated playlist:
Manuel Trillo
Daniel Garcia Perez
Jerry Hund
Jocelyn Lo
Nolasco Cortez
Paola Cortez
Saira Carrasco
About the creator
Natalia Saláis
Natalia is an industrial designer and Master's student in Interactive Experience Design at Edinburgh Napier University. Originally from Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, her work focuses on the intersection of art, technology, and culture.
