Option 1: California Washington Mural Action to Take on the Artwork

Option 1: California Washington Mural Action to Take on the Artwork

The murals depicting America’s past and involving themes of slavery, prejudice, and hatred should not remain visible, especially in public spaces like high schools. These depictions serve as reminders of a painful history that may trigger negative emotions for viewers. Consequently, I strongly believe that the murals should either be destroyed or covered up to prevent these visuals from perpetuating harmful narratives.

Message Conveyed by the Artwork

When Victor Arnautoff originally created these murals, they aimed to reflect the revolutionary era’s historic events. Although they may not have seemed offensive at the time, the context has shifted, and the artwork’s representations are now politically charged. These murals contain strong political critiques, likely intended to spark conversations around past political controversies and social events (Mahnken, 2019). Today, however, these representations may induce discomfort among viewers, as the artwork’s message no longer aligns with contemporary values of inclusivity.

The Artwork’s Historic Significance and the Artists’ Intentions

While the murals possess historical significance, not all history requires preservation, especially when it represents brutal or tragic events. Presently, our society seeks to engage with historical “truth” rather than an idealized or sanitized version. In my view, the artist may have intentionally portrayed a biased view by excluding certain harsh realities like slavery and genocide faced by African Americans and Native Americans (Pogash, 2019). Furthermore, individual viewers may interpret these murals through their own experiences and biases, influencing their reception of the artist’s message.

References

• Mahnken, K. (2019, July 23). Censorship or student safety? Plans to remove iconic mural at San Francisco High School spark furor. The 74 Million. Retrieved January 15, 2022, from https://www.the74million.org/article/censorship-or-student-safety-plans-to-remove-iconic-mural-at-san-francisco-high-school-spark-furor/

PHIL 347 Week 2 Discussion

• Pogash, C. (2019, April 11). These high school murals depict an ugly history. Should they go? The New York Times. Retrieved January 15, 2022, from https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/11/arts/design/george-washington-murals-ugly-history-debated.html