The dialogue between muralism and urban space: The case of Judy Baca’s work.

Abstract

The following paper is an attempt to present an interdisciplinary analysis of the phenomenon of Chicano muralism in California. To this end, it employs the example of Judy Bacaʼs mural, “The Great Wall of Los Angeles”. The multifaceted nature of murals—which combine artistic, geographical, social, and cultural aspects—served as a starting point to highlight the benefits of broadening the research perspective. The article takes a dep descriptive‑analytical approach, enriched with ethnographic elements, allowing for an exploration of the role of murals in rehabilitating marginalized areas, transforming public spaces into places of social significance. The SPARC center, founded by Baca, developed a creative method based on civic activism and collaboration among diverse communities. It supports locality, commemoration through education and participation, incorporates elements of contested heritage into public discourse, and consolidates communities in crisis. “The Great Wall of Los Angeles,” now a key feature of the social landscape of Valley Glen, was the first mural completed by SPARC under Bacaʼs leadership, demonstrating the positive impact
of the “Imaging of Content” methodology, which has now been applied to nearly 400 works across California. In the context of the growing popularity of murals in Polish cities, the solutions developed by SPARC may serve as valuable guidelines for evaluating both existing and planned large‑scale painting projects.