As I sit here wondering what to write, I realize that I’ve
never visited the murals in Chicano
Park since their very first days. Just down the street from them is
this mural to the historic tuna industry that once filled the bay front. I’ve admired it for years. It’s wonderful to see the restoration.
I helped in a very slight way with the murals for Chicano Park.
There used to be just dirt under the big blue bridge to
Coronado. The Barrio got together and
got the city to approve a park instead of more industrial buildings. Instead of a park, the California Highway
Patrol began grading for a station. The
community revolted. When community members
realized they could take their causes to the city council, the state backed
down. Artists in the Chicano community
realized they could take the history of their community to these large blank
walls that supported the bridge.
Today there is a lively and colorful world of history that lives in the heart of
Barrio Logan thanks to the various Chicano artist groups, Salvador Torres, and
my friend Mario Acevedo Torrero. Since
those days, Chicano Murals have spread their wings happily in every
neighborhood.
I love this park! Go people!
ReplyDeleteI love the murals. They are so bright. There is something about Chicano art that just really appeals to me. I guess it is their wonderful expressive nature that is bigger than life.
ReplyDeleteThe murals look beautiful. That stupid blue sign in the upper left-hand corner of the first photo looks like crap. The city should get rid of it. Dianne
ReplyDeleteActually, that is the second photo where the sign resides above the building.
ReplyDeleteWow!!!!!! I love it!!!! It is utterly fabulous!!!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful murals. Chicano murals have been a great influence all over the country. I love the murals here in Pittsburgh, although I doubt they were done by anyone Hispanic.
ReplyDeleteThe mural art is beautiful and so reminiscent of the color used in Mexican tiles and pottery.
ReplyDelete