Orozco Murals

So much of today was just perfect. Beginning with my morning jog--the weather was nice. I passed many of the gorgeous, flowering, purple trees that are blooming now. I saw a beautiful family including a dad and two sons dressed in khakis and the typical latino gauzy white button-up tops with a mom dressed to the nines. It all just made me really happy.
I had decided sometime this week that I wanted to go see the murals by José Clemente Orozco. He's a pretty well known Mexican artist who has some works in GDL. This morning I checked out my guidebook and discovered that they are in a building which I have passed unknowingly at least half a dozen times. For some reason I always thought they were in another part of town. So, I gathered a couple of willing girls and we went to check them out.
(Another thing that made today perfect was getting directions to the downtown area from all-knowing Rachel. Thanks to her, we took a quick bus and a nice trainride straight to where we needed to be. It was faster and much more enjoyable than the alternative bus route.)
The murals are in a building called the Instituto Cultural Cabañas, which was formarly an orphanage and some other things as well I think. The entrance fee (for teachers/students) was a whopping 5 pesos, or about $.50 The murals were in the main cathedral entrance area. They are pretty magnificant. Photos-unfortunately-really do no justice to murals. We caught up with a tour, and that was helpful in identifying some of the subjects of his paintings and learning a little about Orozco's life. He lost his left hand. Was very influenced/changed after the Revolution. His murals depicted a lot of his political ideals, most of which were lost on me since I have a very basic knowledge of Mexican history.
The Instituto Cultural Cabañas also had another gallery area, with many styles of paintings and sculptures. I really had been craving a good art fix, and I feel like I got one today.
We went in search of more murals at the Governor's Palace. Never made it (they weren't open) but we did encounter a tent with artisan vendors from all over this area. In another plaza there was some kind of plant-selling festival going on. Jenny bought a turtle (from the one non-plant vendor).
The weather stayed perfectly mild, which was a welcome break from the midday heat we've been experiencing lately. All in all, a lovely day. I am inspired to research some more about Mexican artists. Right now on my list are Orozco and Gerardo Murillo, who called himself Dr. Atl.


The main ceiling. A little like the "Creation of Adam" with the oustretched hands, ey?


The man seated on the left is the Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quijote. On the right is the Spanish painter, El Greco.