Murals are very significant in Mexican culture. They are considered a legitimate part of the history of Mexican art, particularly in the case of 20th-century luminaries like Jose Orozco and Diego Rivera. Mexican murals have roots in the revolutionary spirit and artistry of the country's people. Here are some guidelines to understanding Mexican murals,
Instructions
1. Examine the content and learn the context of the artwork. First, observe what you see in the picture and think about what the people are doing. The characters in a Mexican mural are usually taking an action; you will rarely if ever find works that show people posing idly. Murals are statements about the condition of a time period, as expressed through people, objects and actions. To understand the content of the artwork, it would be helpful to know its context, such as its time period, its author and the events that were happening when the piece was created.
2. Pay attention to the colors used in the mural. Colors have significant meanings in murals, particularly in terms of mood and tone. A mural that has a lot of dark colors and great contrasts has an underlying revolutionary tone, while something that has pastel and light colors can reflect simple and idyllic living, particularly in the countryside.
3. Put things into perspective by being aware of the scale of the artwork and the number of people involved in making it. Mexican murals usually show people in groups, which is a testament to the bond the Mexican people have with each other and the culture's emphasis on family rather than isolation. Not only are there a number of characters in the paintings, but there were also several contributors who added details and significance to the mural as a whole. Thus, teamwork is expressed through both the characters depicted the mural and every stroke of the brush that the artists employed.
4. Understand the significance the mural has not only to the community, but also to the individual. Mexican murals have close ties to the community, whether through the artists themselves or through the stories relayed in the work. The culture is very close-knit, and murals have a great importance to both the development of Mexican art and to the progress of certain causes. One of the main purposes of a Mexican mural is to create a work that everyone can share in, whether through production or interpretation.
