Cuauhtémoc by 
Pablo Basques

About the Mural

The mural "Cuauhtémoc" is located on the side of “La Katrina”, a restaurant in Minneapolis, Minnesota. You can find "La Katrina" on 349 E. Lake St. The artist of the mural is anonymous, but the mnopedia blog credits Pablo Basques. Basques graduated from the University of Minnesota and has created many murals that are representations of Latin American culture. The mural was painted in 2009, just before pictures were taken for Google Maps. Unfortunately, the mural today is partially covered by a bus stop and it’s impossible to see the entire art piece. We will be looking at symbols in the mural and how they contribute to its meaning and how the meaning is impacted now that it is partially covered by a bus stop.

The first emperor of the Aztecs provides historical context to Cuauhtémoc and is also its namesake.

Cuauhtémoc is a primary symbol of Indigenous nationalism; he represents the force and power of indigenous people and their fight for independence. Cuauhtémoc survived the Spanish conquistadors and he is considered a hero for the Aztec people. His representation in the mural is an important memory of the heritage and history of Latinx people and to remind people of the poor treatment of indigenous populations during the conquest of the Americas. The good thing is that something beautiful has come out of all that has occurred in the past; now there is a mix of heritage and culture that has come together to create new communities, especially in the United States where Latinx and Hispanic culture has evolved and changed greatly. There is a rendition of the Minneapolis skyline in the bottom of the mural. This can be a symbol for the unique mix of Latino culture with a very American city that has had little diversity until the past 16 years. The main subject of the mural Is a poem that starts with the line “nuestro destino ya se ocultó” or “our destiny has been hidden.” This is a very profound line. This line means to say indigenous culture was hidden by the Spanish conquistadors. However, the rest of the text speaks of the strength and perseverance of the Aztecs. Their culture is not hidden and now they can practice their costumes without disguising it.

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It’s a shame that this mural, which represents the survival of Latino and indigenous culture despite ceaseless oppression, is now partially covered by a bus stop. Murals are a way for artists to publicly express their opinions, ideas, and visions. If these murals are then damaged and destroyed, it will serve to deeply hurt and demotivate artists, as important pieces of personal expression are being erased. It's important for cities like Minneapolis with a diverse mix of cultures to prioritize art and culture, as opposed to erasing it. Public art is beautiful and it needs to be protected. 

Tyler Karle and Grace Haverkampf