Browse Items (29 total)
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La Cigarra
“La Cigarra” by Aaron Johnson-Ortiz is a beautiful mural placed in St. Paul’s Chroma Zone. It is comprised mainly of a set of hands holding a Cicada, as blue and yellow streamers flow away containing phrases in Spanish. On either side of the mural, which covers two adjacent sides of a gas-station building, lies a sun and a moon shown a bright yellow/orange color and cool blue, respectively.
The piece does not show much symmetry or patterns structurally but is very eye-catching in the sense of color use, shape and texture. The colors are bright and draw attention to key components of the piece. The text on the ribbons is a bit difficult to fully translate to English but can be roughly translated. The ribbons appear to read "Do not sing me songs of love, for I do not want to know what they are” and "Like a rumor that sneaks in, you go asking, 'Will I live?'"
Symmetry
The colors in this mural seem pastel-like, although many of the colors are lighter & bright. The brown hands, resembling a tree, holding the cicada, and green leaves behind are the main focus points of the mural, with the contrast between the hands and cicada drawing the viewer’s attention to the focal point of the piece. The mood and tone of this mural seem like they want to be more stable throughout most of the mural but with hints of inspiration and life stemming from the hands and cicada. The flowers also are different colors on each side, with the roses by the moon and a bright-pink flower by the sun. Many earth tones were used in this mural to show the nature aspect of the mural and components themselves. Line is the biggest component of this mural, where most of the composition of each shape is made of lines.
Color
The size of the lines mimic the size of the shape they compose, with very broad strokes being in the hands. These curves create a sense of organic movement, making the composition feel alive and interconnected.
Size
The lines give a sense of nature within the mural, the combination of the broad strokes and brown tint on the hands look similar to how the trunk of a tree is composed. Thick outlines around major components, such as the hands and moth, help define these focal points against the intricate background, adding depth and clarity. The texture in this mural is prominently seen through the brush strokes throughout each piece of the mural. Very broad strokes are noticed in the hands, where there are layered, shorter strokes in the sun, almost looking like Van Gogh’s “Starry Night”. The use of these lines and strokes are more seen in the “living” objects, whereas the ribbons look smoother.
Line
The artist uses the wall’s surface to create layers, with distinct foreground, middle ground, and background elements. The hands, moth, and ribbon are in the foreground, while the flowers and leaves serve as the middle ground. This layering allows for the mural to have a sense of depth and seem a lot larger than it actually is. The depth created by these layers enhances the three-dimensional environment, giving the viewer a sense of actual nature.
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La Cigarra
La Cigarra is composed of many different symbolic references including hands holding a cicada, a sun and moon, flowers and other foliage, and ribbons branching out on both sides of the hands. The hands are front and center on the mural, standing out as the focal point. The flowers and foliage fill in the background but still give meaning to the mural, and the sun and moon are at the top of the mural expressing that time is passing. Together they bring a great story during a global epidemic. Lots of bright colors are used in this mural like reds, yellows, and blues. These colors seem to brighten up the mural and uplift the mood. The warm colors help represent coming out of a dark time, and the sunlight makes the colors “pop” even more. Similar lines are used throughout the mural. They are mostly thin and neat lines that have curves that form their object. They do not interfere with the objects and make them distorted, so we know what the pieces are. The lines are like this to not distract or take away any aspect of the mural and not draw attention away from the meaning and colors. The short lines that are brush strokes in the hands, moon, and sun enhance the texture of the mural. Short brush strokes are used when painting the hands, moon, and sun, giving the mural a sense of texture within the mural. This causes those pieces to pop out to the eyes and become the focal point of the mural. These short strokes also help give the mural a sense of depth, giving a feeling of a true foreground and background. The artist uses the use of foreground to express what he feels is most important, again which is the hands/cicada and the moon and sun. The foliage and flowers are more in the background to not be the focal point, but still to use up space and bring meaning to the mural. Johnson-Ortiz does a great job of using the foreground to express what is most important to him, while still filling up blank spaces in the background with the foliage. -
Ask Why
The main focal point of this mural is the phrase “ASK WHY.” Scale wise, it takes up a majority of the wall and is positioned directly in the center. Integrated throughout the mural and surrounding the text are elements of nature, Hmong culture, gender identity and various other icons. For example, there are larger more visible images of flowers, leaves, and plants as well as smaller details such as rain drops, flames, gender pictograms and Xs that border the phrase. Overall, the mural is not perfectly symmetrical, but it feels balanced both space and design wise. The only uses of color in the mural are in the words “ASK WHY” and the solid yellow shadowing that starts at the top of the letters and ends on the ground. The words themselves are white with a hint of blue (slim line of each letter) and then outlined in pink which are colors often associated with the transgender flag while the rest of the mural is black and white. The use of color forces the eye to gravitate towards the overall purpose of asking why. The rest of the mural being black and white in a way serves as an afterthought, nonetheless equally as important. The smaller and less apparent details cause the observer to further analyze and find hidden meanings and themes. The letters are designed using straight lines, making the message very straight forward and easily legible. The curvature in the images breaks up the straight lines to provide a nice visual and contrast to the linear lines. The foreground is yellow for a majority of the mural with the sides depicting nature (flowers and plants). The middle ground includes the large phrase “ASK WHY” to grab the viewers' attention. Two eyeballs are also included within the middle ground and the background is full of smaller images/icons such as flowers, raindrops/flames, and gender pictograms. The background creates the illusion of outer space with little symbols floating around. -
Cats (2024 Version)
The mural composition shows a balanced design due to symmetry in the central placement of the face in a very stylized manner. The elements are symmetrical on either side of the face, with the lotus flower at the top, giving an impression of balance and harmony. The decorative swirls and patterns along the edges lead the viewer's eye toward the center, which enhances the symmetric balance. The coloring is bold and vibrant, combining blues, purples, pinks, yellows, and reds. The bright contrast of colors fills the mural with energy and brings it alive. The gradient application of colors give depth and add an extra dimension to the face, which pops against the brick background. A range of lines is used for outlining, thick for major features, and thin for small details. The major features of the face are outlined by thick lines, while the design shows texture and intricacy by using thin lines. The strong use of curved lines gives the artwork fluidity and an organic feel, adding a dynamic feel. The texture of the mural is visually rich, created by detailed line work and color gradients. The intricate pattern and decorative elements create a feel that gives the impression of a tactile surface; one must stand close to appreciate the fine details. The smooth paint contrasts with the rough brick wall, adding another layer of visual interest. Black Daze has effectively used space to show depth and dimension. It is the face that occupies the foreground, while the decorative elements pass into the middle ground. A plain brick wall acts as the background, neutral enough to let the bright colors and details pop. Overlapping elements and variation in line thickness create a three-dimensional feel and give life to the face. -
Empowering Generations
The mural done by Claudia Valentino and Daniela Bianchini, titled Empowering Generations, is a sight to see. It is located on the West wall of the Precision Coatings building. This mural contains six small human figures, and one larger sized woman figure. The whole mural is of a large scale, so the viewer may need to step far back to take in the whole work. Along with the human figures there are also a few large flowers. The large woman figure is painted in various colors and holds her fist up high. The other smaller human figures are painted in a dark solid color, this illuminates their shape. These smaller human figures really stand out from the colorful background. Although, these smaller humans stand out, the focal point is the larger woman holding her fist up. Around her fist is a mosaic of glass/mirror and tiles, this draws the attention to the importance of her stance. A mosaic is a pattern made by setting small pieces of material onto a surface to create a design. In this case it is small pieces of mirror and colored tiles. All figures pop against the different shades of green and tan in the background. Along with the mosaic detail, this mural was created by using poly tab. Poly tab is a non-woven fabric that is lighter than canvas. This allows the artist to paint in their studio and then later apply the poly tab to the mural. The texture of the building is brick. When viewing this mural, three spaces are seen. The background is the geometrical green shapes and green and blue solid colors. The middle ground consists of the human figures that are one solid dark color. Finally, the foreground and focal point is the woman holding her fist high. -
Bird Enterprise Zone
Bird Enterprise Zone features two birds prominently displayed against a vibrant, patterned background. Both sides of the mural offer subtle differences in the birds' appearances and the background. The birds, painted in tan, brown, and white, contrast against the colorful backdrop, making them the main focal point. Their slightly varied hairstyles and designs distinguish the birds from one another. They are painted in a cartoon style, and they appear to be dancing or jumping. The background made of straight zigzag lines of varying thickness is visually striking but does not overwhelming the birds. Despite the 2D aesthetic the birds are clearly in the foreground creating depth in the mural. -
Dakȟóta Ancestors
The mural Dakȟóta Ancestors by Danielle SeeWalker is a representation of Native American culture and heritage. The composition of the mural is centered around two female figures who represent the ancestors of the Dakota people. The side profiles of the women are depicted from their upper chest to head. This emphasizes how the women are turned to face each other, and most likely gazing at each other. Surrounding them are various Dakota floral designs. When the mural is split vertically, it reveals a symmetrical structure, with a large floral piece at the center and each woman positioned on opposite sides. Another smaller floral design is placed next to each figure, balancing the overall composition. Furthermore, each floral design is vertically symmetrical, contributing to the harmony of the mural.
The color palette in the mural is bold and highly saturated utilizing a vibrant array of colors. SeeWalker incorporates a large spectrum of colors, from the bright green of the older woman’s garment to the grey of her hair. The younger woman is shown in a purple top with black hair. The surrounding floral designs feature a variety of bright colors, each unique in tone, which highlights their individuality. By choosing bold, rich colors rather than the stereotypical palette often associated with Native American art, SeeWalker conveys a sense of strength and pride in the heritage of the Dakhota people. There is no shading in this mural. This deliberate absence of shading might serve to strengthen the visual impact of the piece, allowing each section to stand out. Each color is separated by strong black outlines, which help define the individual elements and add clarity to the composition.In terms of line, SeeWalker uses thick black lines throughout the mural, with a predominance of curved shapes. Most of the floral elements are composed of curves that converge to form pointed tips, with circles at the center of each flower. The women themselves are framed by curved lines, and their braided hair is depicted with small, repetitive curves that flow inward to the middle floral piece. This curving pattern guides the viewer’s eye through the mural, creating a sense of movement and unity. The only straight lines in the mural appear in the earrings of the figures, which are triangular in shape and filled with four smaller white triangles, adding a sharp contrast to the other organic forms. Within the earrings, there are lines of various colors that serve as a background to the white triangles. Additionally, it is also important to note the absence of some lines. There are no lines to define the features of the women’s faces.
Texture is minimal in the mural, as the focus is placed on the clarity of shapes and the relationship between the figures and the surrounding elements. The smooth surface of the brick wall allows the paint to appear flat and uninterrupted. However, the patterned circles on the women’s garments may suggest beading or decorative embellishment, subtly introducing a sense of texture through design rather than surface variation. Regarding space, SeeWalker uses the negative space around the women as a background to highlight the main focus, which is the ancestral women and the floral. The dark gray background allows the colors of the mural to pop out. Additionally, there is no overlapping between the women and the florals, which keeps each element distinct and separate, further highlighting the importance for both the figures and the floral designs. Overall, the mural's composition, color, line, and space work well to convey a sense of ancestral and cultural pride, inviting viewers to reflect on the connection between the Dakota people and their heritage.
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Building Blocks
The mural features a combination of sharp lines, as well as curvy drip-like circles that intersect and overlap. The mural is made of mostly geometric shapes, including rectangles, triangles, circles, and cubes all varying in size, creating depth and layering. The colors used are vibrant and high contrast, including neon yellow, pink, cyan, purple, and green all set on a black background to really make the colors pop. The mural covers the entirety of the wall and uses overlapping to create a 3D effect. -
Coming Home
Coming Home is a vibrant and profoundly symbolic mural, as it explores the intricacies of immigration and the emotional voyage it entails for every individual involved. It illustrates two women from distinct cultures and ethnicities who are visually interconnected but divided by a symbolic line. An American woman representing established immigrant groups pauses in her warmly lit living room to observe through a telescope. Embellished with a log cabin quilt design variant, this environment represents stability and household tradition. Dressed in a vibrant yellow dress and bearing a suitcase, a younger woman from the Middle East enters an expansive blue space on the right, symbolizing the challenges and opportunities of new beginnings. Her background showcases a ten-pointed Islamic star, symbolic of Islamic art, representing her cultural origin. The mural is divided into two halves, each expressing a unique cultural and emotional place. The telescope bridges the division, a diagonal line that directs the viewer’s gaze throughout the mural, linking the two women visually and thematically. The positioning of the figures—one stationary and anchored in her surroundings, the other in motion—highlights difference while establishing balance, as they reflect each other’s dimensions and relevance. The geometric patterns behind the women offer structure and repetition, harmonizing with the organic curves of the figures and their attire. The color scheme enriches the narrative. Soft purples and yellows on the left imply warmth, nostalgia, and tradition. Conversely, cool blues adorn the right side, representing the unknown and the enormous possibilities of the immigrant experience. The vivid yellow of the traveling woman’s outfit symbolizes hope and optimism, but the complementary purple in the settled woman’s environment signifies reflection and stability. These complementary colors generate visual harmony, representing the potential for mutual enrichment via cultural interchange. The painting combines various straight and curved lines to direct the viewer's attention and foster dynamic interactions. The geometric designs—linear and angular on the left, complex and star-shaped on the right—represent the differing cultural heritages of the two women. The women's flowing hair and garment lines soften the composition, giving movement and vitality. The diagonal line of the telescope serves as a focal point, physically and thematically linking the two women, while the birds in the upper right corner direct the viewer’s gaze upward, suggesting independence and migration. The telescope indicates a purposeful endeavor to connect and understand beyond cultural boundaries, but the complementing colors of the women's attire imply harmony and the prospect of cultural synergy. The Arabic word "home" is engraved twice, emphasizing the common human desire for belonging. The depictions of Lady Liberty's head anchor the greater backdrop of immigration and the principles of liberty and opportunity, and the flock of birds in flight represents migration and aspiration. -
The Exploration
Formal Analysis:
Composition:The elements in this mural – the girl, the vines, and the moon – are crafted disproportionately. They complement one another but their vibrant colors and odd shapes against the background emphasize a fictional or imagined location, perhaps in the girl’s mind. Despite being the focal point of the mural, the girl is in the corner of it but takes up almost a quarter of the total space to draw attention to her character. She appears to be a daydreamer-- lying on the ground and looking up with her headphones on and her arms behind her head, lost in the fictional night sky. Overall, the arrangement of the elements and their tones create a balance to the scene suggesting that this is a calm place.
Color:The artist uses vibrant colors against a grey background – perceived as the night sky. There is a contrast of two main palettes; one composed of shades of red, yellow, and green, and the other a variation of blues, purple, and pink. There are hues of red, orange, and peach surrounding the arch of what seems to be a doorway, and these colors as well as green are littered in some of the leaves and vines. These colors seem to represent warmth and daylight somewhere in the distance. The other palette is of the blues and purples in the vines and leaves in the night sky and the pink in the character’s clothes. The color arrangement with the night sky palette coloring the larger elements indicates that the character is laying in the night and dreaming or reminiscing about the day.
Line:No element in the mural aside from the character contains straight lines. There are no straight lines in nature so the use of curved lines and round shapes in the background indicates a natural, outdoor setting. Additionally, straight lines may convey stability and order, while curved lines indicate a sense of movement and fluidity which can further support the setting being a fictional location. The character is the only element in the mural defined in a thick black line which distinguishes her from the background as perhaps the only “real” thing in the scene.
Texture:The mural is painted on a smooth brick wall. The background grey is matte, but all the other vibrant colors are shiny and reflect the light beautifully. The texture compliments the mural well and adds a rustic touch and the shiny paint draws the viewer's eye to the elements while muting the background, which seems to be an intentional touch.
Space:The artist mostly uses the size of the elements to create depth in the mural. By layering elements and varying their scale, the artist creates a sense of depth that invites exploration. The largest element in the mural is the girl in the foreground. The middle ground is a flurry of leaves and vines of various sizes and the doorway. The smallest element is the moon which is the only element in the grey background.