Exploring Metaphors: The Creative Process of the Great Wall of Los Angeles

“Exploring Metaphors: The Creative Process of the Great Wall of LA” presents an exclusive behind-the-scenes view of the collaborative process that is extending the iconic Great Wall of Los Angeles mural from the 1960s to the present. Artistic Director Judy Baca leads a diverse team of researchers, muralists, digital artists, and technical specialists to expand on this monumental work, blending teamwork, metaphors, and innovative design.

This exhibition highlights the collaborative efforts under Judy’s direction, showcasing archival images, research, sketches, and interactive presentations. Visitors will gain insight into how complex social issues are represented through symbolic imagery and visual metaphors. Recent technological advances have allowed The Great Wall process to evolve from analog to incorporating digital production.

Judy Baca and the Great Wall team have a history of activism, enriching the research process through firsthand accounts and personal histories of marginalization. This social justice orientation is deeply embedded in the identities of the artists and researchers, allowing the project to delve deep into under-represented histories that confront cultural erasure.

The exhibition presents the work-in-progress of the newly completed 1970’s narrative. Video clips from thought leader interviews offer insights into the evolution of sketches from initial concepts to final designs, with key concepts and metaphors prominently highlighted. Techniques and materials are explored through displays of traditional drawings and digital renderings. Audience interactive zones invite visitors to sketch Great Wall designs and explore the Punto system—a method used to combine sketches into harmonious cohesion. These immersive experiences will provide a deeper understanding of the collaborative nature and creative process behind Judy Baca’s iconic Great Wall of Los Angeles.