Photograph courtesy of Santa Barbara Mission Archive Library, Norman Neuerburg Collection
Photography of the original Reredos
Although today the mural's statuary niches are empty and the colors have faded, it is being revealed once again. Besides being an engaging piece of art, the mural is an intriguing artifact from a seemingly remote past. An artifact which silently stood witness for five years as a few missionaries on the frontier edge of an extended empire endeavored to convert the numerous native peoples to a catholicism and a colonial vision of civilization.
The mural covers an area of about 20 by 22 feet and stands approximately 12 inches behind the main altarpiece. Using a digital camera, mounted on a metal frame and attached to ropes and pulleys, photographs are systematically taken below the trap door that sits above.
To operate the digital camera, a cable release was attached to the camera so that it could be remotely controlled from above. It takes about 25 photos to document each 22 by 1 foot of the mural. Once each imae has been captured it can be digitally restored. It is estimated that around 900 photos will be required for a complete image of the mural.
The mural covers an area of about 20 by 22 feet and stands approximately 12 inches behind the main altarpiece. Using a digital camera, mounted on a metal frame and attached to ropes and pulleys, photographs are systematically taken below the trap door that sits above.
To operate the digital camera, a cable release was attached to the camera so that it could be remotely controlled from above. It takes about 25 photos to document each 22 by 1 foot of the mural. Once each imae has been captured it can be digitally restored. It is estimated that around 900 photos will be required for a complete image of the mural.
Process
Two challenges presented themselves in the process of capturing images in early 2004: accurate coverage of the mural and proper exposure. This proposal for continued documentation is to implement a more developed process to address these challenges, resulting in better documentation.
A defining factor in the preservation of the mural over the centuries is the mural’s situation in a dark cramped space behind the historic reredos. This fortuitous factor for preservation is also a challenge to its current documentation. Accurate coverage is difficult due to the restricted space and constricted access. This hindered the photographer’s ability to verify the location of the area being photographed remotely and position the camera accurately.
The project team proposes to implement a new process through which the digital camera can be controlled remotely from a laptop computer. Through this computer interface the camera’s view is streamed to the laptop and displayed in real time on the monitor. In addition, the features of the camera [aperture, shutter speed, flash, zoom, color mode] can be manipulated from the laptop with no need for direct contact with the camera body throughout the image capture sequence. This remote display and control allows the photographer to accurately locate the camera and make adjustments without losing position.
Proper exposure of the photographs is another challenge. This will be in large part addressed through the implementation of the remote capture process described above. Photographs can be viewed, assessed, manipulated and if needed retaken remotely from the laptop ensuring proper exposure.
A defining factor in the preservation of the mural over the centuries is the mural’s situation in a dark cramped space behind the historic reredos. This fortuitous factor for preservation is also a challenge to its current documentation. Accurate coverage is difficult due to the restricted space and constricted access. This hindered the photographer’s ability to verify the location of the area being photographed remotely and position the camera accurately.
The project team proposes to implement a new process through which the digital camera can be controlled remotely from a laptop computer. Through this computer interface the camera’s view is streamed to the laptop and displayed in real time on the monitor. In addition, the features of the camera [aperture, shutter speed, flash, zoom, color mode] can be manipulated from the laptop with no need for direct contact with the camera body throughout the image capture sequence. This remote display and control allows the photographer to accurately locate the camera and make adjustments without losing position.
Proper exposure of the photographs is another challenge. This will be in large part addressed through the implementation of the remote capture process described above. Photographs can be viewed, assessed, manipulated and if needed retaken remotely from the laptop ensuring proper exposure.
Recreated as a public mural
In 2011 Ben Wood initiated a fundraising effort to again raise awareness about the mural, which for 7 years had dropped from public consciousness. Forming a team of muralists, they campaigned for wider community support to have the photographed section of the mural repainted as public mural on a city street in San Francisco's mission district.
By making the mural publicly accessible on the street, it was my goal to make it available to a wider public so that the church might gain support in their own efforts to preserve the mural. This public mural continues to stand as the back drop to the weekly mission community market on Bartlett and 22nd Street, several blocks from Mission Dolores.
By making the mural publicly accessible on the street, it was my goal to make it available to a wider public so that the church might gain support in their own efforts to preserve the mural. This public mural continues to stand as the back drop to the weekly mission community market on Bartlett and 22nd Street, several blocks from Mission Dolores.
Selected Articles and Related websites
Association of Ramaytush Ohlone Association Website
Ben Wood, Projecting History in Public Space
Mission Dolores Mural Project Website
"The Hidden Mural at Mission Dolores", Historical Essay
"New Mission District mural brings to life what used to lie beneath San Francisco", NBC Bay Area News 2011
"Mission Dolores mural now a piece of art history", San Francisco Chronicle, 2011
"Centuries-old murals revealed in Mission Dolores / Indians' hidden paintings open window into S.F.'s sacred past", San Francisco Chronicle 2004
Ben Wood, Projecting History in Public Space
Mission Dolores Mural Project Website
"The Hidden Mural at Mission Dolores", Historical Essay
"New Mission District mural brings to life what used to lie beneath San Francisco", NBC Bay Area News 2011
"Mission Dolores mural now a piece of art history", San Francisco Chronicle, 2011
"Centuries-old murals revealed in Mission Dolores / Indians' hidden paintings open window into S.F.'s sacred past", San Francisco Chronicle 2004