There is a new mural inside an old mural I've already posted about! In the center of Mexico City, more exactly in the Calle Regina (between Mesones and San Jerónimo, and just off the corner from the major street Isabel la Catolica) is the mural of the Familia Burrón, which has not changed since the last time I wrote about it.
What's new, is the mural on the gate of this wall. It had been a boring metal gate leading to a "garden" or playground of some sorts. Today, a new crazy mural is to be admired on this gate. And a close look is certainly worth it, because there is a lot of cooking going on...!
Two Crazy Chefs Cooking Up a Storm
The painting features two characters engaged in the preparation of some type of soup of stew. The one on the right looks like a toad, the other one has more of a human like form. They are both throwing things into a big cauldron. Among various herbs, there is already some hot peppers swimming in the soup, as well as a billiard ball, some worms, and some type of towel.
The toad, with flying saucers in its eyes (a cute gimmick), and the feathered headdress of a traditional shaman, is holding a chili pepper with the appearance of a skull. Apparently, this is one of those extremely hot peppers that puts to shame the strongest habanero. The human on the left side is wearing a chef's hat, as he's juggling some maguey worms. The stereotypical worm from the bottom of the mezcal bottle is actually a rather common delicacy, I have written about in this post. The caption above the image says: "Of the Sacred Condiments".
What could be the underlying message of this piece? Maybe that the maguey worms, though they are nice and crunchy, without the chili are too bland and without much taste? Or is the psychedelic look and feel of the entire mural implying some other sacred condiments in the pot, such as peyote or magic mushrooms? Both of them are quite bountiful here in Mexico. The words on the cauldron say "concrete caravan", which again raises more questions than it answers.
Who Dunnit?
Whenever I can, I always want to mention the artist of the murals I post about. Sometimes they leave their name, together with their online presence, so I can give them credit right away. Other times I have to do a search, and even that doesn't always reveal the artist behind the piece. In this case there are two tags: one in the chef's face, the other in the bottom left-hand corner. However, neither managed to get me anywhere. Maybe you can help me read those tags and find the muralist? My closest guess is the Portuguese muralist Bigod O Sapo. Though he has a variety of images on his page, there ARE a good number of crazy toads, and the iconic number 10 billiard ball!
This mural is my entry to this week's Street Art Contest by @CCC. Please check out their contest post, and if you have any pics of some awesome murals, feel free to join! There are winners every week, and at the moment not too many participants.
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