So I missed last week's contest. No wonder, I was lagging behind anyway, submitting my post at the very last moment until... one day I just missed it completely. That was the 27th CCC Street Art Contest and now we're at the 28th.
So let me make up for it, by posting about a mural in a little known part of Mexico City. The neighborhood Ampliación Daniel Garza is not too far from where I live, and it's neither particularly ritzy or ghetto. In fact, it's so normal that I never really had a reason for going there at all. But then I did, and on the corner of Miguel Quintana and Gral. Villegas I saw this truly remarkable mural.
Part 1 out of 2
So yeah, there really is so much going on, on both sides of the corner wall, that I decided to make two posts of them. Today I want to present the one on the East facing wall on Gral. Villegas, and next week the corresponding one on the South facing wall on Miguel Quintana.
Mictlantecuhtli, the Lord of the Dead
The most prominent feature of this wall painting is the face of Mictlantecuhtli, the Aztec God of Mictlan, the realm of the dead. To his right, there are depictions of the hairless Mexican dog Xoloitzcuintle, who are believed to guide the souls of the departed through the underworld. Complementing this theme of the dead, the bottom part of the mural shows talking skulls, the clouds coming out of their mouths representing speech bubbles. Along the top edge we can see the green body of the feathered serpent Quetzalcoatl, probably the most important god in the pre-hispanic pantheon.
Aztec Warrior in Colorful Feathers
The left part of the mural, past the blue gate, depicts an Aztec warrior, wearing a feathered headdress. While the bird to me looks more like a hummingbird, the green colors recall the Quetzal, whose long green feathers have been prized for making elaborate head decorations. In his ear, the warrior is wearing an impressively large disk, featuring the symbol for Ehécatl or the Wind, which is also very frequently seen in pre-hispanic art.
Once Again: Who Dunnit?
As for the artist's identifying name tags, the only legible words I could find are above the green body of Quetzalcoatl in the top left corner: Sytck, Nepha, Tarok, Bosco, Yuhani, Dork Are these the names of the artists who painted this cool mural? I tried to find out, but my searches didn't lead me anywhere. Maybe these talented artists are just not very famous? Maybe they are local legends in their neighborhood, but outside of it they still have to make a name for themselves? In any case, I hope you enjoyed this mural. Next week we'll take a look at the other side of this corner.
If you liked this, check out my developing series on Mexican murals:
Winston Churchil and the Bike Movement
The Beauty of Death and the Struggle of Life
Different Types of Wall Painting
Political Expression, The Painting is on the Wall
A Familiar Face
Chilakillers: Murals, Chilaquiles, and More
Under Metro Line 4
Respected and Less Respected Paintings
Murals of the Barrio in Aguascalientes
Murals Under Periferico
A Cartoon With A Public Health Message
A Warrior Princess in Mazunte
New Images Covering Old Ones
Get to Know Your Local Cacti
A Mural for a Movie
Commercial Murals for Small Businesses
Not Much New in Almost a Year
Feminist Art on a Blue-Collar Business
High Above the City
Laboratory Work on the Cocoa
Elite Warriors in the Parque México
A Journey Through Rock-and-Roll, Contest Winners
Playing With Bugs on the Rooftop
La Familia Burrón in the Center
Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in the Alameda Central
New Stairs Art in my Neighborhood
Painted Garage Doors
The Children of the Feathered Serpent
Four Sides to a Water Box
Skate On Forever
A Healing Mermaid Under Mexican Skies
Axolotl in the Parque Lira
Axolotls Wherever You Look
The Rapidly Changing Wall of the Casa Picnic
Illuminated Illumination
Tlaloc in His Element
Aztec Legends in Metro Tacubaya
All Your Favorite Mexican Motives
Worsening Situation for Women
The Kiss of Death
Honoring the Departed
The Flower of Life in a Face
A Less Appreciated Wall Painting
Funky Graphics in the Condesa
When Big Red Lips Start Growing on You
New Pictures on Old Walls
A Beast With a Mesmerizing Look
Beautiful Animals in the Roma
Horrific Animals in the Roma
A Poetic Message About Tremors
Sesame Street the Mexican Way (güey)
The Turtle Center in Mazunte
B-Side Murals in Mazunte
Beautiful Art in La Boquilla
Return of the (Pinche) Chinche
A Crow, A Fly, And A Shaded Barbarossa
More Exploding Hearts in Mazunte
A Frida Kahlo Mermaid
A Small Glimpse of Zipolite
One More Mural from Mazunte
Localvore Message at La Esperanza Store
Welcome to the New Normal
Frida Kahlo's Mask Adivsory
The Sacred Condiments
Love, Death, and Some Very Diverse Characters
A Flaming Child
Predator and Prey
Changing Murals on the Facade of the INBA
A Lonely Wall With a Lovely Face
Reclining in Tacubaya
Insect People in Cuauthémoc
More Insect People in Cuauthémoc
Lions on Regina
Three Cool Cats
Simple Beauty on the Corner
Something Decent on the Casa Picnic
A Lovely Vista of Chapultepec Castle
Fantastic Critters in Jardín Balbuena
A Corner To Look At