THE XOLOITZCUINTLES MURAL

Artist Mode Orozco paints 2012 Apertura title in canal

The success that Club Tijuana has generated in its short existence has been a surprise within Mexican soccer but it has made a significant impact to the city of Tijuana. The city has found many ways to express its support for this phenomenon known as “Xoloitzcuintles.”

One of the faces of this history was created in December of 2013 when a large mural was painted inside the Tijuana River canal as a public service project. A devoted fan and urban painter painted it. It was the same fan that painted the giant flag during Club Tijuana’s debut in the 2013 Copa Libertadores at Estadio Caliente. It was the same painter who created a flag with the face of former Club Tijuana defender Joshua Abrego as part of his street art in the Tijuana-San Diego region.

The mural commemorates the 2012 Apertura championship in which the Xoloitzcuintles beat CD Toluca in the tournament final December 2nd at Estadio Nemesio Diez. It commemorates the moment in which the team arrived in Tijuana hours after winning to lift the championship trophy in a filled Estadio Caliente and celebrated a historical moment in Baja California history.

The mural has faces painted in this order: Sporting Director Ignacio Palou, Edgar Castillo, Duvier Riascos, Richard Ruiz, Fernando Arce, Joe Corona, team captain Javier Gandolfi and goalkeeper Cirilo Saucedo. It is a large reminder of that special championship day dedicated to the border region.

MEXICAN DREAM PROJECT

The mural was part of a Mexican government project called “Mexico promotes peace.” The mural was named “Mexican Dream” by the group of artists who painted it, led by artist Mode Orozco.

“The project was proposed to public safety and it happened just in time when there was funding available for a national program against addiction,” said the 32-year-old Orozco. “We decided to use that part of the canal to improve the area where there are many migrants living in the tunnels. We decided to call it ‘Mexican Dream’ to bring out all that is positive in Tijuana, in Baja California and all of Mexico. We thought about our region and that is why we thought about the team. We thought about it reaching the First Division and winning the title in the 2012 Apertura. Both events changed the face of the city.”

FROM GUINESS RECORD TO IMPROVING PUBLIC AREAS

The first idea was to break the Guiness Record as the largest mural in the world but after plenty of paperwork Orozco decided to make it a project to rehabilitate public spaces in the city.

“The first intension was to break the Guiness World Record but there was a long process to try and get it done so we decided to make it in benefit to the city of Tijuana and we started with painting about Club Tijuana,” Orozco said.

OROZCO’S STREET ART VISION AND MISSION

Art is traditionally found in galleries and different spots where art expositions are set up. But city streets can also be another avenue for artistic expression and serve as a gallery of its own. With this vision, the artist from Tijuana creates his work.

“There is no better gallery than the streets of Tijuana,” Orozco said. “To paint the streets is a way to illustrate what happens here and it is for the people who walk the streets and don’t have access to a gallery. When people can see this, they appreciate it.”

Orozco began drawing and painting from a young age, eventually becoming a street artist. He eventually became an artist that shines at different public spots. He has painted in Barrio Logan in San Diego and in Los Angeles.

“I began drawing since I was young and little by little people began asking for me to draw,” Orozco said. “I painted a face on a wall and I got paid for it. I decided to take that opportunity from there and I went down this patch and it has given me many great things to paint about.”

A MESSAGE FOR CLUB TIJUANA

“We owe the team a thank you. We have a spot in the team magazine but we would like to have a spot in which everyone can thank the team for what it has done for the city,” Orozco said. “It put the name of our region at an international level and gave our Tijuana recognition.”

ASSISTANTS

6 Head Artists

26 total contributors

Acrylic and Aerosol

Name: William Abraham Caitán Medrano