Another quickie today… work is busy busy busy.
Spotted this on MLK around 57th street. I don’t usually care for the stylized letter writing so much, but this mural, painted on a temporary construction wall while the building behind is rehabilitated, is actually pretty cool. I love the girl…
It’s got a positive message too. For the kids!
mural by TDK crew
The true title of this 7-story tall mural is “Mitzvah, the Jewish Cultural Experience.”
Located at 14th & Franklin – we passed it on our way from the Layover to Spice Monkey for dinner – the mural was created in 1985 by artist Keith Sklar, with Brooke Fancher and Dan Fontes. Measuring nearly 100 feet wide and 150 feet tall, a large central banner reads “Create for Yourselves a New Heart a New Spirit,” surrounded by imagery representing significant historical individuals and events in Jewish history, including a portrait of a concentration camp victim.
The mural is a landmark in the recently dubbed Oaksterdam area of downtown Oakland, and as I snapped a few photos the other night, an attendant guarding the parking lot next door told my friend and I, “that mural’s been there as long as I can remember… It’s older than me!”
Despite being focused on Jewish historical figures and events, the mural also features a melting pot of characters exemplary of the multiculturalism that predominated Bay Area murals during that period. Another example we’ve seen is Street Tattoo, created by some of the same artists.
So you knew I had to follow the giraffes with the zebras right? Same artist… Dan Fontes.
These were originally produced in 1985 thanks to a public commission by the Oakland Office of Community Development. Last updated in 2003, looks like they could use a new freshening as they’ve suffered some weathering and graffiti vandalism. (Located under 580 freeway overpass on Broadway)
Fontes is a local artist and has produced numerous murals throughout the Bay Area. If curious, you can type his name into the search field at the top right of this page to see the ones I’ve covered so far. I’m curious to know if anyone ever uses that feature… it actually works pretty well.
Since posting the life-size humpback whale mural from Kauai last week, I was reminded of these giraffes because it seems to me these have been proportioned to be life-size as well. Although, to be honest, I’ve been wanting to post these guys ever since I first started my blog, um, let’s see… how long ago? Anyone? Anyone? It’s hard to believe… but I started this thing a full twelve months ago. And so, with no further delay…
It’s official… today is Oaktown Art’s one year anniversary. Woo hoo!! (Here’s my very first post from a year ago. An interesting side note is that this mural is no longer visible thanks to the new Lanesplitter’s on San Pablo, so I’m happy to have documented its existence here.)
And though I can’t say I fulfilled my initial goal of posting something every day, I’m pretty proud of the 200+ posts I have done. Heaps of thanks to my readers.
And now back to the giraffes…
These were painted over 25 years ago! It’s amazing they’re still so vibrantly intact. I love them and am grateful for their existence. (Located at intersection of MacArthur & Harrison, under 580 Freeway)
Oaktown Art | Oakland Art, Public Art, Murals, Graffiti, Culture, Oakland 