Welcome to Pilsen, Chicago. Part 1.

Hello, welcome to the Pilsen Neighborhood in Chicago.
Considered by many people as “The Gallery Neighborhood” due to its large number of murals that had been spread throughout the neighborhood.
Let’s walk around and have a look at some of those great murals.
(first Mural)
Our starting point is at the corner of Wood St. and Cullerton St.
This mural has no name but is the most recently painted in the area, finished about a month ago.
The mural is more about cultural and religious connotations, it represents the faith of Mexican people towards the virgin of Guadalupe.
(second mural)
This is another new mural in the area, it is located on Wood St. by the intersection with Cermak Rd. The people often refer to it as “The Selena Mural”.
For those who doesn’t know who Selena was; She was a young Mexican-American singer from Texas who became very famous within the Latino community in the early 90’s.
Unfortunately, she was killed by her own assistant in 1995 when she was only 23 years old.
At the beginning of its creation the people of the area where very enthusiastic about it and various TV stations covered the progress of the work. It was common to see people congregating around and taking pictures. All of the sudden, the artist left, and we don’t really know if the mural is considered finished or not; the last parts of it don’t look as detailed as the first ones he did.
(third Mural)
This mural was painted about 20 years ago.
At this mural one can see some Mexican celebrities, starting with singer-songwriters; Joan Sebastian –on his horse—and Ramon Ayala on the South part of the mural. Also, iconic Mexican women on the North part of it.
Actresses, singers, folkloric dancers, writers and even heroines.
(forth mural)
Now we are in front of Hector Duarte’s house & studio. This mural is special because is painted in three sides, it wraps around front, back and the whole side of the house. It is located at the corner of Wolcott St. and Cullerton St.
It was painted by Hector Duarte himself. He is one of the most celebrated artists in the community; he covered his whole house with his work and named the mural “Gulliver in Wonderland”.
If I’m not wrong, the character being tied-up represent struggle, while the corn crops represent his Mexican nationality; In conjunction “The Struggle of the Immigrants” –I read this before—
I personally liked the Chicago skyline underneath his leg, I also find very interesting the big feet on the garage door and the alley.
(outro- outside museum)
Among the many murals you a find in Pilsen, this neighborhood also hosts The National Mexican Fine Arts Museum. A free admission museum located just one block north from Duarte’s studio.
Another good reason to visit Pilsen surely is that this neighborhood ranks #10 on the list of “The world’s coolest neighborhoods” according to Time Out and CNN.
Thanks for watching!

Видео Welcome to Pilsen, Chicago. Part 1. канала Fernando Castel Media