América Tropical by Siqueiros on Olvera Street

América Tropical by Siqueiros on Olvera Street

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There seems to be a flurry of murals and public art going up around Southern California, which I think is great. But it’s also worthwhile to revisit older pieces,  and last week I finally visited Siqueiros’ América Tropical, which can be viewed for free from a deck high above the Olvera Street shopping and dining area in El Pueblo.

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At the entrance, there are displays describing Siqueiros’ revolutionary background that got him kicked out of Mexico and the sunny view of Los Angeles and Latino culture that business owners wanted to promote through the 1932 mural. Of course, the ideals didn’t match up and the image of the crucified Native American being oppressed by Western culture was immediately whitewashed over. The muralist, deported.

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Only when the paint began peeling in the ’60s did the piece return to public attention. After more than two years and $10 million of work, it was finally shown in 2012. Due to decades of sun damage, a lack of color images, and respect for the artist’s unique hand, the conservation crew did not attempt to return the mural to its original vibrant state. Instead, they accentuated what remained so that it can be viewed with the naked eye. On a hot summer morning, the hard truth of the painting, touching on cultural imperialism, class warfare, and economic oppression, is as blinding as the harsh sunlight.

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Much respect to the contemporary muralists in the Americas who carry on the tradition of Siqueiros, Orozco, and Rivera. But besides demonstrating their skills, beautifying overlooked spaces, and making neighborhoods social media shareable, who dares weave the unpopular truth into their pieces? Who is confident that their non-crowd pleasing art and arguments will be appreciated even more in decades to come?

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