The influential work has been conserved through an ongoing public-private partnership between the City of Los Angeles and the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI).
“América Tropical has been an inspiration to numerous artists, educators, and social activists about the importance of freedom of expression since its unveiling in 1932,” said Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. “This project tells the story of Siqueiros’s incredible artistic talent, and his unwavering commitment to people, of censorship during a period of great political upheaval, and of its preservation and enduring presence. I’m proud that the City, and the Getty Conservation Institute have come together to make this important investment in public art.”
Tim Whalen, director of the Getty Conservation Institute, said, “Providing public access to América Tropical has been central to this project. From the Getty Conservation Institute’s initial involvement in 1988, it has been a persistent advocate for the conservation of the mural, and the construction of the shelter, and a public viewing platform. We are so pleased to bring América Tropical back to the people of Los Angeles.”
David Alfaro Siqueiros, one of the great Mexican artists of the 20th century, painted América Tropical in 1932 on the second story exterior wall of the Italian Hall on Olvera Street, in the area of downtown Los Angeles known as El Pueblo.
The mural depicts a Mexican Indian tied to a double cross with an American eagle above him, and revolutionary soldiers—one aiming at the eagle—closing in. Controversial from the start, within a few months the mural was partially whitewashed, and it was completely obscured by whitewash within a decade. The work was virtually forgotten until the 1960s, when the rise of the Chicano mural movement brought a renewed interest in América Tropical and Siqueiros.
Now conserved, the mural boasts a new protective shelter spanning the south wall of the Italian Hall—a canopy with sun shades on each side to protect the mural from direct exposure to sun and rain. A rooftop platform also has been constructed to allow public viewing. The América Tropical Interpretive Center (ATIC), managed by El Pueblo, is located on the ground floor of the historic Sepulveda House and its exhibits explore the history and techniques used to create América Tropical, the conservation process, and the artistic legacy of David Alfaro Siqueiros.
The $9.95 million public-private investment—a $3.95 million commitment from the Getty and $6 million from the City of Los Angeles—is the culmination of years of effort to present and conserve América Tropical. The ongoing advocacy and expertise of the Getty Conservation Institute has been central to the endeavor to save the work, as has the generous financial support of Friends of Heritage Preservation, the Department of Cultural Affairs, and the community support represented by Amigos de Siqueiros.
Owing to the early whitewashing and ongoing exposure to the elements, the mural’s pictorial surface is significantly deteriorated, and its colors have become faint, but the power of the image and Siqueiros’ composition remain as strong as ever. The GCI has worked to conserve and stabilize the mural to honor and protect the artistic legacy which remains from Siqueiros’ own hand.
The GCI also has carried out extensive research, documentation, and conservation treatment, including plaster stabilization, cleaning, and consolidation, and GCI scientists have conducted scientific studies to identify the materials originally used by Siqueiros to create the mural. The GCI will share this information to inform the conservation of other Siqueiros works.
Following the completion of the conservation project, the GCI has committed to maintaining and conserving the mural for the next decade. The long-term stewardship of the mural and the América Tropical Interpretive Center rests with the City of Los Angeles.
Architectural firm Brooks + Scarpa oversaw the design and construction of the shelter, platform, and Interpretive Center for the city of Los Angeles’ Bureau of Engineering. The design firm IQ Magic developed the concept for the Interpretive Center, under the guidance of the City and Amigos de Siqueiros.
América Tropical Related Programming
A number of celebratory events are planned leading up to and after the opening of Siqueiros’ América Tropical, including film screenings, mural tours in downtown Los Angeles focusing on the Chicano mural movement, a two-day symposium, a festival at El Pueblo, and more. See below for details.
Under the Stars—with Gregorio Luke
Thursday, September 27, 2012, 7pm
El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument
Father Serra Park, 125 Paseo de la Plaza
Free, no reservation required
Gregorio Luke, an expert in Mexican and Latin American art and culture, presents his popular outdoor multimedia show that looks at the life and work of David Alfaro Siqueiros.
Organized by Amigos de Siqueiros, with the support of El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument.
Letters to Siqueiros
Thursday, October 4, 2012, 7pm
Includes screening of Jesus Treviño’s film América Tropical
Pico House, El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, 424 N. Main Street
Free, no reservation required
Award-winning filmmaker and author Jesus Treviño will screen América Tropical, his 1971 documentary about David Alfaro Siqueiros. He will be joined by artists Wayne Healy, Barbara Carrasco, and John Valadez, each reading a letter to Siqueiros describing his impact on them personally and in their work, a letter none had the opportunity to send to Siqueiros during his lifetime.
Organized by Amigos de Siqueiros, with the support of El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument.
Siqueiros in Los Angeles, Lecture by Dr. Irene Herner Reiss
Friday, October 5, 2012, 7pm
Pico House, El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, 424 N. Main Street
Free, no reservation required
Celebrated author, historian, and Siqueiros expert Dr. Irene Herner Reiss will present a lecture about the time Siqueiros spent in Los Angeles and the roll of the mural as a cultural artifact in a city where the past is often forgotten.
Organized by Amigos de Siqueiros, with the support of El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument.
Opening of América Tropical
Tuesday, October 9, 2012, 12pm
El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument
Sepulveda House, 125 Paseo de la Plaza
Opening of the América Tropical Interpretive Center and the mural to the public.
The Siqueiros Legacy: Challenges of Conserving the Artist’s Monumental Murals
A Two-Day Symposium Tuesday, October 16, and Wednesday, October 17, 2012
October 16 morning at the Getty Center, afternoon at El Pueblo/ATIC
October 17 at the Getty Center
A group of international speakers will present the many aspects of conservation, transportation, installation, and presentation associated with some of Siqueiros’ most important murals in Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and Southern California.
Continuing the Siqueiros Legacy: A Mural Tour of Eastside LA
Saturday, October 20, and Saturday, October 27, 2012, 9am–1pm
Departs from América Tropical Interpretive Center
El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, 125 Paseo de la Plaza, entrance on Olvera Street
$20, $10 students; Reservations available starting September 20, 2012
Artist Raoul De La Sota will lead a bus tour of Los Angeles murals, including works by East Los Streetscapers, Judy Baca, Kent Twitchell and many more. Tour begins with a viewing of the mural América Tropical by David Alfaro Siqueiros at the América Tropical Interpretive Center. Wear comfortable shoes as there will be some walking as we disembark and re-board at key murals along the way.
Organized by the Getty Conservation Institute.
¡América Tropical! A Festival Celebrating Siqueiros
La Plaza de Cultura y Artes and El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument
Saturday, November 3, 2012 12pm–7pm
501 N. Main Street, Los Angeles
Free admission
Eighty years after it was first painted, the mural América Tropical by David Alfaro Siqueiros, one of the great Mexican artists of the 20th century, is again on view to the public.
Bring your family to this festival celebration and explore the artistic, social, and historical significance of América Tropical through food, music, dance, children’s activities and more.
Organized by the Getty Conservation Institute, La Plaza de Cultura y Artes, and El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument.
Other Related Sites
América Tropical Interpretive Center
Sepulveda House, 125 Paseo de La Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Open Tuesday–Sunday, 10am to 3pm