UNAM 2

Facultad de Medicina

Taking the short metro ride across town to the University of Mexico campus is well worth the effort. Although the campus grounds are extensive, there are some particularly worthwhile sites to see. As I posted earlier, the 3-D Siqueiros mural is well worth the trip in and of itself. Even more, just across the street from the university is the Estadio Olímpico with the famous Diego Rivera mosaic on the structure's entrance. But, there's more!

Eppens Mural

Shortly after getting off the metro at the Coplico station on the northeast side of the campus. Just follow the student crowd to campus and you'll end up at the Facultad de Medicina. You're greeted by a mosaic by Francisco Eppens on the side of the medical school building. This interesting mural presents the themes of life and death which medical students will surely face. The center mask, as you can see above, has both the Spanish profile on the left as well as the indigenous one on the right making a mestizo face in the middle. An ear of maze and other Mayan and Aztec symbols represent the forces of life and death.

 

CHECK THIS OUT:

A lot of variety exists when it comes to eating street food in Mexico City.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2013/feb/08/best-places-eat-street-food-mexico-city

 

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The Eternal Flame

Within a stone throw of UNAM (The University of Mexico), one finds the Olympic Stadium home for yet another Diego Rivera creation. In celebration of the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, this extraordinary mosaic adorns the front of the stadium. The lighting of the flame by both male and female competitors signifies both the spirit of the games as well as Mexico's long history, tradition, and the importance of sports in this country.

 

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The "Full Siqueiros"

 

In my blog on my visit to the University of Mexico, I shared with you a segment of the Siqueiros mural. It's so impressive that I thought I give you the "Full Monte" this week. Students playing soccer in its shadow probably have little idea as to its stature in the world of art. Siqueiros is one of the greatest of the Mexican muralists along with Rivera and Orozco. This mural Ascent of Culture was constructed in the early to mid-1950s. As was true for the other muralists as well, Siqueiros' work represents issues of concern to the common people.

 

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UNAM - The University of Mexico

Today' travels took me to the southern part of the city to visit the University of Mexico. Wow, what a huge campus with thousands of students moving about (I imagine there were just as many in classes). I strolled around the campus for close to two hours (most of the time lost). But, it was worth i!

Mural on the Faculty of Medicine

I was very impressed with the amount of green space available for students to hang out, play soccer, or even study. Over 325,000 students call UNAM home. The key building, muraled on all four side is the university's Rectory. Set among walk ways and grassy areas, this building commands everyone to notice it.

The Rectory

As if this wasn't enough, the muralist Siqueiros, created a politically inspired three-dimensional mural in its shadow.

Section of the Siqueiros Mural

However, the main reason for today's travels was to hopefully get a glimpse of the Rivera mosaic mural on the Olympic Stadium. Although I couldn't get inside the stadium complex, the mural is so prominent on the entrance to the stadium that I was more than pleased to see it from my only available perspective (from outside the front gates).

The 1968 Olympic Stadium

For any fan of Rivera's work, this is a real gem. It's not central in any tour of Mexico City, but if you don't mind a long metro ride and some solid walking, the journey is well worth the effort. I now have yet another favorite Rivera mural in the city. It was also of interest to see where Tommy Smith and John Carlos protested for Black Power after winning olympic medals in track and field.

 

Closeup of Rivera's Olympic Stadium Mural

 

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