America tropical seomotic analysis

Name: Course: Professor: Date America Tropical seomotic analysis Social memories are collective memory about important events often commemorated by cities using certain symbolic representation. Architectural designs within certain urban spaces act as not only as a communication system, but also has specific symbolic meaning. The symbolic function of specific architecture found along the streets and city squares serve various purposes. For example, Siqueiros’s America Tropical painting in 1932 that acted as an emblem of social justice can be interpreted in several ways, the painting was a symbolic tool used to oppose American imperialism, advocate for social change and acted as a cultural identity of the indigenous people living in America. David Alfaro Siqueiros is among the famous artists who founded the Mexican mural movement, being one of the famous artists of the time, Siqueiros came to prominence because of his radical ideas (Martinez 4).The city of Los Angeles commissioned an outdoor mural to show the abundance of tropical America that represented the Los Angles dream. However, the mural painting of America Tropical by Siqueiros created the opposite(PBS SoCal 3). David Siqueiros painting was a controversial piece of art that generated mixed reactions during his time. Being an idealist, David used his artistic skills as a tool to oppose imperialism, through his painting, he presented the social realities in Los Angeles hidden from the public. He used his skills to present revolutionary messages through outdoor painting(PBS SoCal 3). The original idea of the mural art was meant to showcase Olvera street rich indigenous culture. The representation of Olvera street was supposed to give visitors an experience of a small village back in Mexico as part of the abundance of tropical America (Getty Conservation Institute 2). Siqueiros deep commitment to communism and socialism ideologies turned what was to be an emblem of social justice to show the suppression of the indigenous population(PBS SoCal 2). Like many artists, Siqueiros used art as a political tool to reach out to the public (PBS SoCal 3). This explains why the mural was whitewashed; the government did not want people to see the hidden message behind the painting. The America tropical is a huge painting with a large jungle of trees; the tree branches are twisted and spread to an ancient Mayan temple that seems to be engulfed by these tropical plants. The painting included an over-stretched American eagle and beneath the eagle is a lynched Mexican man on a cross (Getty Conservation Institute 3). At the upper right hand, the corner of the painting is a red building with two men a Peruvian and a Mexican trying to defend their culture and their heritage (Getty Conservation Institute 2). Through his painting, Siqueiros brought out to the public the existing inequalities in America as a way of advocating for social change. Siqueiros painted to represent the indigenous population based on his perspective. He used his mural to promote both social and political views. His symbolic depiction of the struggle of the indigenous population against imperialism was repressed because it did not conform with images of Olvera street which was supposed to be an attractive place(PBS So...