Throughout the month of September, the Illini Union Art Gallery will be filled with photographs of public murals in Mexico, created during the Mexican Muralism movement of the early 20th century. From the Illinois News Bureau:
Mexican Muralism was an artistic, cultural and political movement of the early 20th century, following the Mexican Revolution, in which monumental public art interpreted history, injustices, inequalities and social conflicts. The Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México in Mexico City became known as the “cradle of muralism” after artists such as Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros and José Clemente Orozco were invited to paint murals to transmit educational images, displaying the history of Mexico and its Indigenous past. More than 40 artworks were created between 1922 and 1926.
Movement routes, Mexican muralism is a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the movement, featuring photographic works from the Manuel Toussaint Photographic Archive of the Institute of Aesthetic Research at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM).
There will be a day long opening celebration on September 7th. All events are free and open to all. Here is the schedule:
- 10:30 to noon – symposium discussing the murals and their impact featuring Ricardo Alvarado Tapia, Sandra Zetina, and Luis Adrián Vargas from UNAM, moderated by Gisela Sin, political science professor and the director of the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, Pine Lounge at the Illini Union
- 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. – mural viewing and discussion with artist Oscar Martinez, Spurlock Museum
- 4 to 5:30 p.m. – opening reception for the exhibition, Illini Union Art Gallery