Preserved mural to be unveiled
CALEXICO — The public is invited to attend the unveiling of the city’s binational mural project monument Tuesday at Rockwood Plaza, followed by a reception and historical exhibit afterward.
The unveiling will be of a refurbished section of the “Border Metamorphosis” mural that was recently replaced by new border fencing west of downtown Calexico.
The two-mile mural was created in 1997 and represented the longest mural to have been created on an international border fence, city officials said.
The city is also encouraging volunteers who had helped paint the original mural to attend the unveiling and reception.
“It would be great to have a group of volunteers from 20 years ago attend this event,” said Sandra Tauler, Community Services director in a written statement. “We look forward to sharing the past with future generations through this monument.”
Following the unveiling, archival photographs and materials dating back to the mural’s creation will be exhibited at the Carmen Durazo Cultural Arts Center. The historical exhibit will run from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, and from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday.
About 1,500 volunteers over the course of three years had assisted with the painting of the “Border Metamorphosis” mural, which was designed by Calexico native Armando Rascon.
An agreement reached between the city and the Border Patrol at the time of the mural’s painting allowed for sections of the landing mat-style fencing on which the mural was painted to be donated to the city for preservation.
The Rockwood Plaza installation includes a section of the border fencing with a refurbished representation of the mural design, which consists of an interlocking repeating pattern of diamonds and circles, in hues of blue, red, yellow and green.
The mural is based on geometric designs from the Olmec society, considered the earliest known major civilization to have existed in Mexico from 1200 to 300 B.C., and also represents a friendship bracelet.
“The mural highlights the friendship of the shared social life and economy of the sister cities of Calexico and Mexicali,” a press release from the city of Calexico stated.
The Rockwood Plaza monument has a panel from the original mural on each of its two sides, representing the view from each side of the border.
The committee that worked on the monument’s preservation included Hildy Carrillo, Benjamin Horton, Angel Esparza, John Renison, Gilbert Grijalva, Eddie Shiffer, Luis G. Hernandez, Tony P. Tirado, Carlos Herrera, Stephen Wong and representatives of the El Centro Sector Border Patrol.
Project managers included Durazo, who was instrumental in the commission of the mural in 1997, and Calexico City Manager David Dale. Eduardo Kintero served as the lead artist on the restoration project.
Those wishing to make a donation should contact Carmen Durazo at (760) 791-2218.
The monument’s unveiling is scheduled to take place at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the northwest corner of Rockwood Plaza, near the intersection of Mary Avenue and Seventh Street.
The replacement of the outdated border fencing on which much of the mural was painted was completed Oct. 5, the Border Patrol reported.