If you have ever seen someone posing in front of a pair of colorful wings in São Paulo, chances are the photo was taken at Batman’s Alley (Beco do Batman). The wings are the work of artist Celso Campos, known as Gatuno, and became famous as one of the most photographed graffiti pieces in the city.
How it all started
The first pair of wings was painted on January 21, 2016, on Rua Harmonia in Vila Madalena, at the request of a shop owner. Bloggers photographed them, the photos went viral and the wings became a phenomenon. Gatuno has painted about 50 versions across Brazil and has received invitations from other countries.
Where they are in Batman’s Alley
According to a 2021 news report, the alley’s wings are at the entrance of the Alma da Rua gallery, which has hosted several versions of the work. Each pair usually stays up for about a year before being replaced, so the one you find may differ from the photos you have seen online.
The secret of the artwork
Look at the wings from a distance: they form a cat’s face. It is the artist’s signature: he started doing graffiti in 2010 by painting cats, inspired by the cats his mother kept.
Photo tips
- Go early or on a weekday. On Saturdays there have been one-hour lines to take a photo.
- Stand right in the center so the wings seem to “grow” out of your shoulders.
- Ask the photographer to shoot from slightly below your chest height: the wings look bigger.
- Find more ideas in Batman’s Alley photos.
Where to stay near Batman’s Alley
Visiting the alley and need somewhere to stay? See hotels and guesthouses in Vila Madalena on Booking.com or read our guide Where to stay near Batman’s Alley, with the best neighborhoods. (Affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.)
Keep reading
Source
Estadão Conteúdo, via ABC do ABC: “Asas criadas pelo artista Gatuno fazem sucesso em todo o País” (“Wings created by artist Gatuno are a hit across the country”, 2021, in Portuguese).