It's another week, and another chance to submit some amazing street art to CCC's Street Art Contest #15. This time I decided to post a spectacular looking mural right outside the Metro Station Cuauhtémoc in Mexico City, right next to the Mercado Juárez.
All About Insects
The character featured in this wall painting is obviously a human woman, at least according to the first impression. She looks like an indigenous Mexican lady, wearing a blouse of traditional patterns, and her hair braided typically. The disks in her ear, though certainly a recently re-discovered adornment, also hints at pre-hispanic traditions.
But then there is her necklace, looking like some weird insect, maybe even a trilobite. Her tongue also spirals up like a snail's shell, and above her head three huge beetles are taking to wing. But the weirdest character in this entire ensemble is the Chapulín Colorado standing on the lady's shoulder.
Another Type of Insect
For those who don't know, the Chapulín Colorado or Red Grasshopper is a classic Mexican icon, originally from a 1970's TV show, but thanks to decades of re-runs and a faithful fandom, who grew up with this puny parody of a superhero, by now El Chapulín has become as Mexican as Tamales de Mole.
What The ... Ego?
Now, let's turn the harder question of who-dunnit! If a mural has a clear tag, or if it doesn't have one, it's easy peasy giving credit, or not. But in this case, the tag says... something with ego. Okay... Thankfully, under the artist's tag the Central de Muros logo helped me a little bit further, though not much. Apparently, the Central de Muros is an initiative to revitalize the muralist tradition of Mexico, and create a culinary-visual route for tourists. Oh, and yes... that site suggests that the artist may actually be segooval, but no certainty here, or even a website. Too bad, but the image is certain worth enjoying!
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