The port shutdown two days ago was super inspiring. Can't wait to go
check out this mural!!
http://communityrejuvenation.blogspot.com/2011/11/striking-with-art-underground.html
In solidarity with the Oakland General Strike and the Liberate Oakland
Movement, the Community Rejuvenation Project is proud to present our
latest mural, ?Sprouted Prayers: Underground Resistance.? The project
reflects the prayers of our ancestors manifesting in our placement in
the struggle today. At the core of the mural is Underground
Resistance, encouraging 99% struggling for economic and social justice
to remain firm in their commitment. African and Indigenous elders and
Taiwanese freedom fighters stand with the Black Panthers and Harriet
Tubman endorsing and supporting the emerging generation of youth
carrying the movement forward. Calendar images from the Mexica Sun
Stone that mark relevant dates are interspersed with the butterflies
also representing the ancestors. The youngest warrior on the wall is
Selah, the latest addition to the W.O.M.E massive, who was born while
the mural was being painted. Beats 737 added his name to the wall.
The vision for the new piece grew out of a dialogue initiated by
Daniel Zarazua, a CRP photographer and regular collaborator, who
wanted to see connections made to his hometown of Detroit and his
motherland, Taiwan. Underground Resistance also has direct connection
to the techno innovators with the same name. The collective of DJs and
musicians carry a parallel revolutionary message and avant-guard
approach to music. His research also led to the inclusion of the
indigenous Taiwanese freedom fighters who resisted Japanese
imperialism in the 1930s.
The mural features the work of guest artist and master aerosol writer,
Lavie Raven (feature post on Raven coming soon). Raven has visited the
collective regularly and flew in over the weekend to participate in a
series of murals as CRP restores and redoes its works on the Martin
Luther King Cultural Corridor. The project was the historic first
meeting and collaboration between Raven and fellow master practitioner
Mike 360. Rounding out the artists were Beats 737, Muse, Abakus,
Pancho Pescador and Desi W.O.M.E. Photographer and Communications
Director, Eric Arnold even contributed, painting kemetic symbols for
the primarily African American community where the mural resides.
Located at 28th and Martin Luther King Way, the latest mural was
created as part of the CRP?s mural restoration and maintenance
program. When murals fade or are significantly vandalized, the
collective returns to restore or repaint the works. The previous
mural, ?Four Elements,? had received some minor mosquito bites from
the local fan club and faded significantly prior to its replacement
with the latest works.