Today my roommate Erica and I went over to SF and decided to take a free walking tour of the Mission District murals. A non-profit called SF Cityguides runs walking tours throughout the city and with the wonderful weather and free time, what better way to spend an afternoon!
I hadn't been to this part of the Mission in a long, long time. In fact, my only memories there are from middle school when my spanish class went for Dia De Los Muertos. I remember walking past bakery windows with pan ducles, altars, and decorated sugar skulls. Our class had some assignment to do with the murals and after we had finished our walk around, we went to a Cuban restaurant where I had platanos con frijoles. Amazing what stays in our memories! This trip we didn't stop for pan ducles or platanos... Erica and I are doing South Beach (getting our butts in gear for her wedding) and are currently in Phase 1 which means the Mission's authentic and tasty food was no doubt off limits.
Below are some photos of the murals and a bit of info on each. The colors were just so brilliant, even the photos don't do them justice! I recommend clicking on the pictures to see all of the detail.
I hadn't been to this part of the Mission in a long, long time. In fact, my only memories there are from middle school when my spanish class went for Dia De Los Muertos. I remember walking past bakery windows with pan ducles, altars, and decorated sugar skulls. Our class had some assignment to do with the murals and after we had finished our walk around, we went to a Cuban restaurant where I had platanos con frijoles. Amazing what stays in our memories! This trip we didn't stop for pan ducles or platanos... Erica and I are doing South Beach (getting our butts in gear for her wedding) and are currently in Phase 1 which means the Mission's authentic and tasty food was no doubt off limits.
Below are some photos of the murals and a bit of info on each. The colors were just so brilliant, even the photos don't do them justice! I recommend clicking on the pictures to see all of the detail.
The ocean scene was done on the wall of the local community pool. Each of the swimmers worked at the pool at one point in time!
The mural two up was dedicated to the Dali Lama.
Above- Many of the murals represent contrast. Loss on the left panel, life on the right.
The mural above is dedicated to Aids victims.
Brilliant golds and reds show a wife and child in El Salvador during the civil war. Faces of those who died are seen in the green mountains in the back.
Amazing what a simple garage door can show. Can you see the "army" skeleton with a gun?
This is suppose to represent struggles of war in Nicaragua. On the left there is a girl in fear of a soldier pointing a gun at her( out of frame), while the right side shows a new and hopeful Nicaragua
This one was done by an artist who was unhappy about the gentrification of SF neighborhoods. Notice the condo "transformer" in the middle.
An older women in Nepal(left) breaking a chain to free the group of women on the right.
Each piece has so much symbolism, but most of all community is a central theme throughout. I think my favorite one was the one with the eyes!
3 comments:
Nice pictures. I haven't seen the murals for a long time. Now I want to go again.
wow, those are beautiful! by the way, are you taking a break from 'south beach' at christmastime???
These are great pictures of some beautiful artwork. I'll have to put this on my list of things to do next time I visit. And I like your memories of your grad-school tour. Now I'm craving Cuban food :)
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