Client: The Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture for the Greater Whittier Regional Aquatic Center

Overview

Mosaic murals depict the sunlight seen from underwater as one’s breath bubbles rise toward the surface. From seas to skies, from rain to rivers, water, and its endless manifestations form a cyclical connection that binds all living things. The permanent public artwork comprises 2100 sq. ft. of ceiling and wall murals crafted with 12mm square glass mosaics. Water-themed poetry by local high school students and the region’s history of water is depicted in typographic mosaics. The Arroyo Seco was one of the first interventions by the city to create safe and supervised swimming holes by what was then called the Los Angeles Playground Department in 1916. As pools became ubiquitous in California through the first half of the century, segregation of these spaces became increasingly insidious—continuing covertly today through privatized swimming pools. Municipal pools today serve as a democratizing force, providing resources like sports, education, and most importantly the joy of swimming to all community members regardless of socioeconomic status or race. Water binds us in its all-embracing form, and the pool becomes a communal body.

Goals

The concept of the artwork stems from Méndez’s memories of being submerged underwater looking up to the sky and seeing her breath bubbles slowly float to the surface, creating a shimmering effect as the bubbles refracted the sunlight. Most of us have had such glorious experiences. She recalls the memory as follows:

Summer sun is beaming white hot. Its rage is in full effect — the pool is calling. We beg Mom to take us swimming; we jump into our bathing suits, pack into the car, and then suddenly, “Don’t run at the pool!” Mom yells. I dive into cool relief. Submerged under the water, looking up before the surface, mercurial bubbles speed towards streaming sunlight—weightless—time in suspension. Rushing towards the silver halo, I rise in a singular swoop, and the fluid membrane breaks into one million lucid fragments as my parched lungs inflate—I dive back in.

Process

UCLA students and alumni are referred to as 'Bruins' and the Whittier College community are 'Poets.’ In 2013, Whittier College recognized Chilean author Isabel Allende with an honorary doctorate in humane letters. Méndez celebrates this legacy by honoring 10 students from Whittier Pioneer High School, which is just around the corner from the aquatic center, showcasing their poems at the Center’s main entrance mural. The theme of the poetry is water. Méndez conducted an open call that was juried by a Pioneer High School teacher and herself. The selections complete the permanent public art to be enjoyed by generations to come.

Additional Information

The fabrication process began in December 2021 and was completed in June 2022, Mosaicos Venecianos de México performed it in Cuernavaca, Morelos, México. Méndez selected MVM for its excellent reputation and for the artists it has served, including Mexican muralists David Alfaro Siqueiros and Diego Rivera, as well as her own METRO murals. She traveled twice to review the work. Installation was performed with great care by Continental Tile in Corona, California.