Restoration Mural by Siqueiros

Painted more than 70 years ago on a wall on Olvera Street in Downtown L.A., the mural América Tropical¿in which David Alfaro Siqueiros depicted a crucified construction worker¿will be restored at a cost of almost nine million dollars. L.A. Mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa, along with privately and publicly funded organizations¿Getty, among these¿announced the plans for the restoration of Siqueiro's mural, in an effort to revitalize the area's cultural and touristic appeal. This is the only mural still standing in the U.S. by Siqueiros, an artist regarded as one of the greatest Mexican muralists of the last century. The restoration efforts will include the construction of a structure to house the work, a platform for visitors, and an information and interpretation center for the controversial mural. Painted in 1932 on the exterior area of a second floor, América Tropical by Siqueiros shows the crucifixion of an indigenous Mexican while an American eagle looks on from above and revolutionary soldiers gather nearby. The original proposal by Siqueiros was to show a landscape from tropical America, but nearing the completion of the work, the artist¿notorious for his progressive and left-leaning ideals¿went on to paint the laborer, after having asked to be left alone for the final phase of the project. The project will be funded through a public and private investment of 8.95 million dollars¿3.95 million dollars will come from the Getty Foundation and 5 million dollars will come from the City of Los Angeles.