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"Painting
a Place: The Murals of Los Angeles"
Zia Salim
Undergraduate Student
California State University, Fullerton
ABSTRACT:
This paper examines some of the themes of Los Angeles murals. Although
these murals depict a wide variety of subjects, the community mural
movement that began in the 1970s focused on themes that were relevant to
the members of L.A.'s specific neighborhoods. This paper uses qualitative
methodologies to examine how murals mark Los Angeles' cultural landscape.
A field analysis of murals in two marginalized neighborhoods was
conducted, and the histories and demographics of both neighborhoods were
examined. The result was an interpretation of the thematic similarities
and differences of the murals, within the context of their communities. I
conclude that the murals create a specific sense of place and aid in
landscape interpretation. Murals make dramatic landscapes. Understanding
murals helps in an appreciation of how Los Angeles' communities assert
their unique identities.
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2004 Los Angeles Geographical Society
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