La Agua, el Origen de la Vida

Located in the newer section of Mexico City’s renowned Chapultepec Park, the mural entitled El agua, el origen de la vida (Water, The Origin of Life) is an ode to the vitalism of water throughout Mexico’s history. The mural was painted by famous mural artist, Diego Rivera, inside the tank of Carcamo de Dolores, the hydraulic complex once responsible for regulating the water supply flowing from the Lerma River. Being one of a kind, the pigments were specially formulated to withstand the flow of water passing through the chamber and then exiting out of a tunnel leading to the final holding tank. Rivera also designed the large statue of Tlaloc, which lies on its back in a shallow fountain outside of the building. The complex was retired in the 90’s in an effort to preserve the murals from water damage. Before then, water was said to have flowed from the deity’s eyes and mouth. 

Rivera’s inclusion of pre-Columbian motifs continues in this work. On the floor, Rivera depicts organisms from which he believed were the origin of life. Among these creatures are chalchihuites, or precious blue or green stones, a form seen in Central Mexican codices. In his inclusion of pre-Columbian motifs, Rivera includes Mesoamerica in the larger context of ancient global history, asserting that Mexico’s history starts with its ancient past. The walls of the Carcamo are painted with more organisms, leading to two allegorical figures representing the beginnings of modern homo sapiens. Around them swirl images of the bond between water, humans, and technology.

This work is distinct from some of Rivera’s other work. While still celebrating Mexico’s past through its ancient relationship with water, Rivera has also expanded his scope and linked Mexico with a larger, global history. The allegorical man and woman are not Indigenous or European but African and Asian. In this choice, Rivera sought not to depict Mexico’s history with water but rather a global history of water of which Mexico is a part. Rivera seems to have drawn influence from his previous work, The Detroit Industry Murals. Completed in 1933, the mural also used racialized allegorical figures to depict a global history. Rivera also uses similar organic forms to those seen in the East wall of Detroit Industry, which links natural resources with the origin of life.

Other Images Sources:Header: Getty ImagesDetroit murals header: Ralph Lieberman: Architectural Library: Ralph Lieberman, 34 Moorland Street, Williamstown, MA 01267

Carousel Images: Work: © 2012 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.  Image: Bob Schalkwijk/INBA