For the Love of Art
A new art installment in Love Library honors the Aztec identity.
"Art plays a really important role in the library,” Dean of the Library Gale Etschmaier said. “It adds to creating that kind of inspirational space for learning, which is really important in an academic environment.
The Aztec identity
Etschmaier added that it was essential for the art to have a strong connection to the students it will be directly benefiting. For that reason, she recently commissioned two art classes to design and paint a mural for a new study area, located in the old entrance to Love Library.
Professors Carlos Castro and Eva Struble gave their students guidance on the design and painting of the mural. Both professors thought bringing art into the library was necessary to create a more personal environment that is conducive to learning.
“There is an urge to personalize spaces with colors and patterns,” Struble said. “Art makes the space more human.”
The mural is an Aztec calendar, but with a modern twist. While the outline of the mural is a traditional Aztec calendar, students created their own artwork within the calendar to represent their identity.
“We decided to do a new version of the calendar,” Castro said. “To allow space for the students to create new ideas and reflect on the identity of the Aztec theme.”
Leaving a legacy
The goal of the mural is to create a welcoming environment that celebrates the diversity of SDSU’s student population. In addition, the mural allows current students to leave their mark on campus.
“We have historic artwork, but we want to inspire students and give them the opportunity to create their own legacy at SDSU," Etschmaier said.
According to Castro and Struble, the concept of leaving a legacy resonated with their students and they have taken great pride in the mural.
“This is not our piece, it is their piece,” Castro said. “The students feel connected to it and it is an open space for them to leave a legacy about their time, experience and lives here at SDSU.”
