“Having multiple meanings, it could be about the past lives of Spanish and African American Heritage influences on the island. If you notice the mural is signed by two figures from the past who according to the mural have died.”
“The mural is open to multiple interpretations but seems to emphasize on the colonial influences of the past. There is a white man sinking in the water, but there is also an African American man who is heading towards the water also. The wooden branches tied together seem to represent part of the Spanish colonial vessels who traveled west to colonize the islands of the Caribbean and brought both the Spanish and African culture, symbolized by the multiple shells which can also suggest the presence of the Caribbean Taino Indians already inhabiting the island”
“Flowers can symbolize the aspect of transition and transmission of culture, since they carry seeds which could germinate in distant places, and spread cultural influences, if that were to be the interpretation”.
“This has been one of the most surreal murals I have ever seen seen. However, its symbolism seems to highly relevant to the Puerto Rican people and its cultural heritage.”
The bird on the dead man’s legs is a San Pedrito (Puerto Rican Tody), an endemic bird on the island found nowhere else in the world.
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“The heart was painted with lots of detail. Perhaps there is an analogy of the heart with the flower since both need air; the plants through transpiration, and humans through respiration.”
“This mural has very good technique. It depicts a Green Iguana, officially declared as an ‘invasive species’ on the island. The unknown artists of this mural painted the Iguana as a huge monster holding a Coqui Frog in its hand. “
“Here you can see the detail of the Iguana holding the Coqui Frog. The truth of the matter is that Green Iguanas do not attack Coquis, so at the time this mural was painted, there was a misconception of the Green Iguana and the reptile, which has been stigmatized ever since. The Green Iguana is a beautiful reptile and its diet is strictly vegetarian. I love Green Iguanas and will do anything to rescue and protect them from being harmed.”
“This mural was painted on an exit to a highway. It depicts two black women surrounded by Caribbean Monarch Butterflies. Puerto Rico is very proud of its African influence and heritage on the island. Several famous black artists have had a major influence in the arts, and this mural pays a homage to black women.“
“The mural is slowly deteriorating, nevertheless it still has great detail. Caribbean Monarch Butterflies are unique because they don’t migrate and are native to the Caribbean region. They are slightly smaller than the Canadian ones but have the same colors and morphology.”