“Animals in motion” is what you’ll see. The Bigger Picture Project Mural stands before us. It is a set of four murals. These murals are painted on St. Paul’s central corridor.
The Bigger Picture Project Mural was designed by artists John Grider and Mike Fitzsimmons. They are known as Broken Crow. The images fit together. They create one Bigger Picture. It goes along the light rail route.
Broken Crow used enormous stencils. They painted animals in motion. Lions, camels, rhinos, wolves, tortoises, and foxes are all there. These varied creatures move forward together. It mirrors the light rail passengers. The complete composition measures 32 feet tall by 60 feet wide. The Bigger Picture Project Mural is the first multiple-location mural. No one involved had tried anything like it.
The murals’ locations include 633 University Ave. Also, 651 University Ave. And finally, 2145 University Ave. At the last address, both sides of the street are painted. This creates an enveloping effect.
Broken Crow asked Benjamin Clasen to document the process. He is a photographer and tech wiz. Clasen took 30000 vibrant photographs. He created a time-lapsed video. This elevated his documentation into art.
Each mural has a QR code. This gives passers-by access to the time-lapsed footage. People can see the painting process. This happens right on their mobile devices. They can do it while standing in front of the mural. This turns city corners into an open-air gallery.
The Bigger Picture Project Mural was financed by the Cultural Sales Tax Revitalization Program. It is a collaboration of Irrigate. Mike Fitzsimmons and John Grider began creating art together in 2003. Their unmistakable murals have become an integral part of The Twin Cities aesthetic. This earned them global recognition. It also brought international commissions.
The two-man team uses enormous stencils and ladders. They transform featureless walls. They create incredible depictions of animal imagery. These are arresting for their detail and dimension.
Broken Crow murals have contributed to the color of public spaces. This includes Minneapolis and St. Paul. Also, Duluth, Milwaukee, Chicago, and Baltimore. Plus Reno, Nashville, Austin, and Dallas. They also painted in Albany, Mexico, New York, Paris, London, and The Gambia.
They work in the gray area between street art and public art. They are reintroducing wild animals to the urban habitat. They write their own mythology. To date, Broken Crow has painted 126 murals. They have also contributed to countless exhibitions worldwide.
Many people contributed to The Bigger Picture Project Mural. Angel Fitzsimmons and Christin Crabtree-Grider. Amy Praught and Stephen Chapman helped too. Patrick Carlone and Mike Carney were also involved. As was Alex Smith and Mike Mictlan. Ben Lafond and Ed Hughes were there too.
The Bigger Picture Project Mural stands as a testament to collaboration. It shows the power of art. It connects communities. It brings a touch of the wild. It reminds us that we are all moving forward together.