VOA常速英语2008年-Tucson's Murals Enliven Public Spaces

By Suli Yi
Tucson, Arizona
13 February 2008
 

The city of Tucson, Arizona is known for its murals. These wall-size works of art represent a traditional Chicano art form and reflect the city's large Mexican-American population. Some paintings celebrate the community's cultural identity, while others document their lives and struggles. For producer Yi Suli, Elaine Lu has more on the murals of Tucson.

In Tucson, murals are everywhere: in museums, on the walls of schools and restaurants. David Tineo has created more than 200 murals all over Tucson. He says it is in his blood. "We come across many generations. We are proud of who we are. We come here to the United States. This is our heritage."

Alfred Quiroz, a professor of arts at the University of Arizona, says the Chicano community's roots inspire artists like Tineo. "I would say David is probably a very traditional Chicano muralist who valued a lot with family, southwest tradition, some of the folklore¹ of the southwestern traditions," he said.

Jane Hallet of the Tucson Pima Arts Council says many murals depict² the Chicano community's ties to the ancient Aztec civilization. "The representations of the Aztec. Maybe one of their calendar stones or one of the symbols taken from the Mexican buildings. Or the pyramids Aztec built particularly outside of Mexico City."

"Revolutions" is a giant explosion of colors depicting³ death, tension, and conquest. It commemorates⁴ Mexico's struggle to gain independence from Spain. Tineo believes murals can touch people in a very personal way.

"Because murals were the art of people. Murals are a public art form of voice. It could be anywhere," Tineo said.

Quiroz adds, "It is public art form, number one; and number two it is a big painting. Some people don't like the idea that it's a big painting, but that's what it is. It is a big painting. It can be a social statement; it can be a political statement."

Tineo believes making a statement with his art is important.  He says, "I'm not a singer. I'm not a writer. I'm a painter. And my contribution to my community is my murals, my paintings."

Murals have even made their way onto walls of ordinary homes.

It's a spiritual piece, he says of the work he is doing on a ceiling. "The story is the dream. It was a dream of hope, of awakening⁵ to the culture and heritage. It is a spiritual piece. It is a sanctuary⁶."

The homeowner, Claudia, says it is peaceful, "I felt those are very safe. This was a sanctuary where I would have to feel in peace," she said.

A sanctuary, a historical journey or a political statement, Tucson's murals are a unique form of urban art.

1 folklore   

n.民间信仰，民间传说，民俗

参考例句：

• Zhuge Liang is a synonym for wisdom in folklore.诸葛亮在民间传说中成了智慧的代名词。
• In Chinese folklore the bat is an emblem of good fortune.在中国的民间传说中蝙蝠是好运的象征。

2 depict   

vt.描画，描绘；描写，描述

参考例句：

• I don't care to see plays or films that depict murders or violence.我不喜欢看描写谋杀或暴力的戏剧或电影。
• Children's books often depict farmyard animals as gentle,lovable creatures.儿童图书常常把农场的动物描写得温和而可爱。

3 depicting   

描绘，描画( depict的现在分词 )； 描述

参考例句：

• a painting depicting the Virgin and Child 一幅描绘童贞马利亚和圣子耶稣的画
• The movie depicting the battles and bloodshed is bound to strike home. 这部描写战斗和流血牺牲的影片一定会取得预期效果。

4 commemorates   

n.纪念，庆祝( commemorate的名词复数 )v.纪念，庆祝( commemorate的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• A tombstone is erected in memory of whoever it commemorates. 墓碑是为纪念它所纪念的人而建的。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• A tablet commemorates his patriotic activities. 碑文铭记他的爱国行动。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

5 awakening   

n.觉醒，醒悟 adj.觉醒中的；唤醒的

参考例句：

• the awakening of interest in the environment 对环境产生的兴趣
• People are gradually awakening to their rights. 人们正逐渐意识到自己的权利。

6 sanctuary   

n.圣所，圣堂，寺庙；禁猎区，保护区

参考例句：

• There was a sanctuary of political refugees behind the hospital.医院后面有一个政治难民的避难所。
• Most countries refuse to give sanctuary to people who hijack aeroplanes.大多数国家拒绝对劫机者提供庇护。