I saw this mural when I was out shooting pictures of the Rose Parade aftermath. It's at 1292 Colorado Blvd. overlooking the parking lot just west of the Incycle bicycle shop.The artist is Victor Steinbacher, assisted by Leo Sanchez. A tidbit of undated information I found on the web said Steinbacher studied at Art Center College of Design and resides in Pasadena. The mural dates from 1993. That's about it. I found even less about Sanchez.
This piece isn't on the City of Pasadena Art Walks, which are more centrally located to downtown. But there's art all over Pasadena. You don't have to look too hard to discover it.
My favorite thing about the mural is that I had never seen it before. I love finding new things (new to me). Plus I love that the guy on the left is green.
What do you think of it?
23 comments:
Ah, 1993 explains the actual phones.
I really like the ransom note style lettering!
I suppose as bloggers we have to like the message of the mural.
And as photographers, it's the thrill of discovering something for the first time.
That's all I'm gonna say.
You both crack me up. Amy, I hadn't even noticed the "actual phones." And Dina, "if you can't say something nice," right? That's what I was taught, anyway.
But what are they saying about the guy i the middle? Is it some cutthroat business deal? A glimpse inside a 2-D drug cartel? Why doesn't Middle Guy get a phone? Is he psychic? And: a ransom note? It's all so ominous.
The green guy looks a bit like your current governor.
Probably psychic, J.
Gubernator. Okay, Chuck, I'll go with that.
Great mural! Very fun to discover something new in town too. I just hope they aren't playing the game "telephone" where the guy in the middle will garble the message as it gets passed on. Maybe that's why he's looking a bit smug.
Seems like I could paint "Tippy the Turtle" with that grid.
Hah! Actually, that green man looks like the transitional stage between Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno :-)
I don't know, I'm not that fond of art when it lectures to me. Or maybe, I don't find that art.
Katie, I think the guy in the middle is going to have to get it through telepathy.
Greg. Apparently I am not of your generation. Tippy?
All right, Karin! That's an opinion. Honestly, though, I don't think it's you (or me) he's lecturing to.
Yes, so we were taught.
Wiki says
This moral is now known by such names as the "Thumperian principle", "Thumper's rule" or "Thumper's law".
It used to be an graphics art supply store. I wish it still were.
I got back from visiting the Hammer yesterday where I saw the book of Genesis illustrated by R Crumb. Talk about message art. Gorgeous
Disney permeates, eh, Dina?
PA, I have to say, Crumb demonstrates once again that he's a master. He continues to amaze.
I used to share an office with Victor. After I moved away from Pasadena in 1996, I had heard that he died, but I can't seem to find out any details.
Hi Sheff,
I wish I had some information for you but I don't. The web is turning up the same lack of answers for me.
The commenter above, Pasadena Adjacent, is an artist tuned in to our local art scene. She may know. You might try clicking on her blog and sending an email.
Victor used to work at the art store, Pas Graphics that shared the wall with his mural. It was his first and last mural and he was very excited to create it.
He was a, one of a kind man and friend. He committed suicide in 2000.
Chris, yours is the first news we've had on this post about what happened to Victor Steinbacher. Sad news, but at least now we know. Thank you.
Hello. I was searching my brother's name and found your blog about his mural. I am Victor's sister. He was a great man and the mural represented his art style as of his death in Aoril 1999. I hope the mural is still there. It is nice a piece of him still exists.
Hi Jolinda. I haven't been down that way lately to see if it's still there. I hope so. It would be a shame to lose it. I'm sorry your brother is no longer with us.
Oh! And I just want to say thank you for commenting and sharing your information.
Yes, Chris and Jolinda, thank you for sharing. I had been wondering about Victor for years.
Yes, thank you Chris and Jolinda for sharing. I had been wondering about Victor for years.
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