99% Invisible – 540- The Siren of Scrap Metal

Intro

In this episode of “99% Invisible,” the podcast explores the fascinating story behind the iconic street vendor call known as “Fierro Viejo” in Mexico City. This distinctive sound, played on scrap metal trucks, has become a cultural icon and a symbol of the city’s informal economy. The episode delves into the history, evolution, and impact of this unique form of street vendor advertising.

Main Takeaways

Mexico City’s Informal Economy

• More than 50% of Mexico City residents work in the informal economy, including street vending.
• Street vending is a competitive space due to the lack of jobs in Mexico’s formal economy.
• The government tolerates informal commerce as a form of social redistribution.
• Enforcement of laws against informal commerce is often based on political expediency.

The Rise of Fierro Viejo

• Fierro Viejo, a recording played by scrap metal trucks, became a national icon in Mexico.
• It started with a 9-year-old girl who helped solve a pressing challenge in a busy and loud city.
• Pregonus, traditional forms of street vendor advertising in Mexico, have evolved over time.
• Fierro Viejo is a departure from traditional Pregonus but serves the same function of attracting customers.

The Creators of Fierro Viejo

• Marco Antonio Taron and his family, with a background in the entertainment industry, are the creators of Fierro Viejo.
• Marco started his own scrap metal business using a push cart and improvised megaphone.
• Marco and his daughter Marimar recorded a pitch for their business, which became the popular Fierro Viejo.
• Marimar’s voice was used for the recording, as Marco felt his own voice was not suitable.

The Impact and Cultural Significance of Fierro Viejo

• Fierro Viejo has gained international fame through social media and has been posted in other languages on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
• It has become a unifying anthem for Mexicans around the world, celebrating the ingenuity and style of informal commerce.
• Fierro Viejo has become central to Marco and Marimar’s clown act and is loved by children in Mexico City.
• Marco has registered Fierro Viejo as an artistic creation and retained a lawyer to ensure proper compensation for its use.

The Preservation of Mexico City’s Sounds

• French sound artist Felix Bloom recorded street vendors in Mexico City for an exhibition called Coro Informal.
• Felix aimed to document and preserve the sounds of the city, believing that public space should be a space for all to be listened to.
• His CD, Disco Pirata, featured over 100 sounds of the city, including street vendor calls.
• Listening to the sounds of public space can reveal what people are saying that may not be heard by enough people.

Summary

Mexico City’s Informal Economy and Fierro Viejo

Mexico City’s informal economy, which includes street vending, plays a significant role in the lives of more than 50% of its residents. Due to the lack of jobs in the formal economy, street vending has become a competitive space. Fierro Viejo, the iconic street vendor call played by scrap metal trucks, has become a national symbol and a reflection of the city’s informal commerce. It represents the creativity and problem-solving skills of Mexicans, who take pride in making the best of any situation.

The Creation and Impact of Fierro Viejo

Fierro Viejo’s rise to fame started with a 9-year-old girl who helped solve the challenge of attracting customers in a busy and loud city. This departure from traditional Pregonus, the traditional form of street vendor advertising in Mexico, still serves the same function of attracting customers. Marco Antonio Taron and his family, with a background in the entertainment industry, are the creators of Fierro Viejo. The recording has gained international fame through social media and has become a unifying anthem for Mexicans worldwide.

The Preservation of Mexico City’s Sounds

French sound artist Felix Bloom recognized the importance of documenting and preserving the sounds of Mexico City. His exhibition, Coro Informal, featured recordings of street vendors, including their distinctive calls. Felix’s CD, Disco Pirata, aimed to capture the essence of the city’s soundscape and make it accessible to a wider audience. He believed that public space should be a space for all to be listened to, allowing unheard voices to be heard.

Conclusion

The story of Fierro Viejo and its impact on Mexico City’s informal economy is a testament to the ingenuity, creativity, and resilience of its people. This iconic street vendor call has not only become a cultural icon but also a unifying anthem for Mexicans around the world. Through its preservation and recognition, the sounds of Mexico City continue to captivate and inspire.