Great Wall of Los Angeles

When Rosemary Sanchez mentioned, “The Great Wall of Los Angeles” multiple contributors paint on concrete (1976) during her Judy Baca presentation I was intrigued. I immediately looked up information online. I am a History Major here at UCLA, and my emphasis is on social movements from a minority perspective. To see that the tagline for the mural is the history of California as seen through the eyes of women and minorities made it even more appealing.

As Rosemary mention The Great Wall is 13ft x 2,754 ft. it is on Coldwater Canyon located between Oxnard St and Burbank Blvd. The space makes it one of the largest murals in the world. Art work depicts scenes from colonization until the 1950’s. Some of the images show pre colonization and colonialism and mostly consists of events in the 20^th century such as, Chinese labor contributions to the United States, refugees from the Dust Bowl, the Great Depression, the Japanese-American internment of World War II, the Zoot Suit Riots, the Freedom Bus rides, the disappearance of Rosie the Riveter, Gay rights activism, the story of Biddy Mason, deportations of Mexican-Americans, the birth of Rock and Roll and the development of suburbia. The wall covers the history of California up to the 1950s. Judy Baca supervised and planned each segment strategically.

The medium is considered social realism. The content depicts historical facts and does not ignore the dark side of American history. The wall is a great accomplishment and I am glad it was discussed in class. I will make it a point to visit the wall soon.