A Film About Oakland's Most Important Mural That You Can't See

A mural stands in downtown Oakland that honors the city’s culture and history. It’s a giant artwork birthed out of years and years of community conversations and the artists’ commitment to the concept.

The problem is that nobody can see the mural. Not anymore, at least. Except for a small patch of paint poking from behind a barrier, the mural depicting Oakland’s culture is now completely blocked by a new six-story luxury high-rise.

The story of the mural, and its disappearance, is shown in the full-length documentary Alice Street. On Tuesday, Nov. 16, as a part of the Berkeley Film Foundation’s documentary screening series, the film will be shown at Oakland’s New Parkway Theatre.

Lead artists Desi Mundo (founder of the Community Rejuvenation Project) and Pancho Pescador began the project over a decade ago. The process was documented, from idea to outline. There were community conferences and government gatherings, as well as critiques and criticisms from neighbors who felt like the theme—people of color pushing for resistance against oppressive forces—didn’t represent their experience.

Nearby cultural centers were also included. At 14th Street and Alice Street, right across the street from the mural, is the Malonga Casquelourd Center, a hub for African drumming and dance performances. On the other side sits Hotel Oakland, a residential and cultural space for older Asian folks. Elements from the two centers—both the physical design of the buildings and faces of the people who’ve graced those grounds—were incorporated into the artwork.

The artists eventually created a mural covering four large walls of a sizable parking lot. But as the paint dried and the ribbon was cut in August of 2014, a new development was being planned on that very spot.

“I’m excited to highlight the artists and what’s happened since the documentary took place,” says film producer Spencer Wilkinson.

He says the two lead artists on the project will be present for a post-screening dialogue on Nov. 16. They’ll be joined by drummer Kiazi Malonga, son of the late world-renown artist Malonga Casquelourd and head of the Fua Dia Congo performance group, as well as musician and poet Destiny Muhammad, who is featured in the film asking the poignant question: “Is what’s coming better than what’s here?”

The film concludes with a note that individuals and community organizations such as the Community Coalition For Equitable Development (CCED) have pushed for and received a set of community benefit agreements, which have led to more low-income housing, more parking—and, in addition to other agreements, they’ve been financially supported in the painting of a new mural.

A couple blocks down from the location of the site of the previous mural, on the side of the Greenlining Institute, now stands a new painting featuring some of the same artists as the previous piece, as well as the themes of housing justice, diversity and cultural arts.

As for the old mural, mummified by a new building? Maybe years, or decades from now it will see new light. But for now, all that’s visible are the names of the artists and the website where you can get more information about the film—and the ongoing conversation about the arts, community and urban development.

‘Alice Street’ screens Tuesday, Nov. 16, at the New Parkway in Oakland. Trailer here, and details here.