Aztec City
by John Acosta, Frank Sanchez, and Carlos Menchaca 

The mural "Aztec City" is a public artwork created by John Acosta, Frank Sanchez, and Carlos Menchaca that celebrates the cultural heritage of the Mesoamerican indigenous peoples, particularly the Aztecs. This mural is located at 736 Robert Street in St. Paul, Minnesota. Also, it is located in the West Side neighborhood of St. Paul, which is a strong Latino community. The goal of this mural is to create awareness about the roots and cultural diversity of the Latino and Hispanic communities on the West Side and reaffirm their ethnic and cultural identity. 

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The mural demonstrates the civilization of the indigenous who occupied the lands before the conquistadors arrived. The Aztecs are present in the mural and it shows the city they had built, Tenochtitlán, with many pyramids and large mountains in the background. These images give the idea of the majesty and complexity of Aztec civilization, connecting viewers with a glorious past and emphasizing the cultural resistance of indigenous peoples. At that moment, a conquistador (probably Hernán Cortés) arrives at the city entrance and meets the Aztec emperor, Moctezuma II, who stands at the gateway with an outstretched hand, ready to greet him. The Aztec and the conquistador are presented with strong colors such as red, green, and blue. The colors of the background are short as coffee and gray this can highlight the characters in the great Aztec city.

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This mural was painted at a stage where the Chicano muralism movement was taking place and many wanted to focus on a pre-colonial stage to celebrate. In the article "Muralismo in St. Paul," it analyzes how this movement responded to the need for cultural expression and resistance to urban deterioration and social injustice (Gutierrez). In the context of St. Paul, where Chicano murals promoted ethnic pride and self-determination, Aztec City also serves as a reminder of the pre-Columbian past of the Latinx and Hispanic communities. The goal of this mural is to revitalize historical memory and connect new Latino generations with their cultural heritage. Additionally, the mural is located in a public space in the West Side neighborhood, a key element in affirming the presence and influence of the community in the urban environment.

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The Aztec City mural is a representative example of public art that seeks to educate, inspire, and unite the West Side community and the whole of St. Paul through the representation of cultural heritage. Using vibrant visuals and significant symbolism of Aztec strength, the mural invites the viewer to reflect on the importance of the cultural and historical identity of indigenous peoples, with whom many members of the West Side community can relate. Like the other Chicano murals in St. Paul, Aztec City claims its location as a place where the culture and legacy history of the Latino community can be visible and celebrated and never be hidden.

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Works Cited: 

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Gutiérrez, Lizeth. “Muralismo in St. Paul.” MNopedia: Minnesota Encyclopedia, https://www.mnopedia.org/thing/muralismo-st-paul. Accessed 11 Nov. 2024.