River of Mercy - Merced California (El Rio de la Mercedes)
The river is the lifeblood of Merced -- and of this
concept. It is the story as well as the storyteller.
As the 'river runs through', it flows from Yosemite
Valley, past the foothills, through an old mill until
it reaches thirsty orchards and crops of the Central
Valley. While chronicling geological passages, it also
ushers-in the rich and colorful history of Merced County.
Named by grateful conquistadors, El Rio de la Mercedes
has given life for thousands of years. The River of
Mercy meanders past the Miwok, Spanish, Asian, African-American
and European. It has flowed from the beginning of history,
through centuries of hunters and gatherers, to the trappers,
gold seekers, ranchers and farmers. It's seen harmony
and destruction from irrigation to devastating hydraulic
mining. It has given drink to the people and to the
land. It is why Merced is here.
The landscape scenes in this mural - like Yosemite's
cliffs and falls or the sun / field harvest —
appears in a more expressive art form via the illusionary
tile murals or mosaics. Merced's rich ethnic diversity
— from Hispanic and Hmong to European and African-American
— is represented by the proud field workers in
the 'Sun Mosaic'. The Yosemite tile mural also includes
a scene (not developed in sketch) of a Miwok youth by
the river.
Images clockwise from
top: full left mural, full right mural, rock detail (left mural),
field workers (right mural), detail of indigenous
person (left mural), window with man detail (right
mural).
