Over-the-Rhine

About This Location

Over-the-Rhine is the largest, most intact urban historic district in the U.S. and has one of the most flourishing arts scene in the city. The area is has a constant friction between historic preservationists and low-income housing advocates since the 1970's. After Cincinnati's 2001 race riots, violent crime escalated. Since a series of revitalization projects kicked off in 2004, the area has become quite chic as developers have been building high-end condos in remodeled historic buildings along Vine Street. While crime has significantly dropped in these areas, some areas of Over-the-Rhine still battle higher crime.

If you visit the mural, be sure to check out the most celebrated historic buildings nearby: the Art Academy of Cincinnati, the new Gateway Quarter, Music Hall and the School for the Creative and Performing Arts. If you have a bit of time, be sure to check out The Findlay Market, an amazing indoor (and outdoor Saturdays March through December) market home to dozens of merchants selling meat, fish, poultry, produce, flowers, cheese, deli and ethnic foods.

About the Mural

Like many of the murals, this one features one larger image on top of a collage of smaller images. The large image on the right is Afrocentric Black and is similar to his Revolutionary Women set and reads "Power to the People: Power & Equality". The collage of imagery behind it includes Writing on the Wall Red (which celebrates the late 70's punk rock), Kiss Me Deadly Red, Eye Alert Red, Peace Fingers Red and Rise Above Fist.

Taken as a whole, this mural seems to emphasize the fact that all people should work together to peacefully rebel against corrupt political and corporate interests. Given Over-the-Rhine's history, it seems like an apt statement.