Barrio Logan
A big, retro-looking robot will soon find a home in Logan Heights. The new public-art project is by brother-artists Jamex and Einar de la Torre. The mixed-media robot sculpture will stand 14 feet high near the intersection of Commercial and 22nd streets
"It's definitely going to be noticeable," Einar says. "We're putting LED truck headlights in the robot's eyes, and they'll be flashing and blinking... It's right by the trolley, and you'll even be able to see it from Interstate 5 if you know where to look."
Jamex and Einar describe the piece as anachronistic, inspired by old images of Japanese robots built for an imagined futuristic era. The robot will be constructed of steel and inlaid with stone that's been hand-carved with images of modernized Mayan glyphs.
Einar leads me to the backyard of their San Diego studio to show off the detail of the stones, which were carved in Tecate, Mexico.
About Barrio Logan
Barrio Logan is an artistic, industrial area with Mexican roots. At its heart is Chicano Park, with dozens of murals depicting the community’s past activism, alongside images of notable figures like Frida Kahlo. Former warehouses on Logan Avenue now house galleries, taco shops and craft breweries, all of which are popular with students from the nearby Woodbury School of Architecture.
Einar and Jamex de la Torre: Barrio Bot
Barrio Logan, 22nd St & Commercial St, San Diego, CA 92102
