I Am Because We Are mural by Gerry Tonti

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Spiritans are a religious group that started over 300 years ago within the Roman Catholic community. The full name is The Congregation of the Holy Spirit under the protection of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. An evangelical group of clergy and laymen that focus on working with the poor, they draw their inspiration and guidance from the Holy Spirit. This mural is first of all, on the campus of Duquesne University – a Catholic University. More specifically, it’s a Spiritan University and for over 100 years the only Spiritan University in the world. Duquesne is now affiliated with the other University, which is Spiritan University College in Ghana.

The full title alone helps to explain this mural. I Am Because We Are: A Celebration of Spiritans in Africa. It is on the side of the Laval House, where African Spiritans attending Duquesne reside. This excerpt from Duquesne University Magazine’s winter 2012 issue explains the symbolism:

The mural depicts the Holy Spirit above two African women locking arms over a baobab tree, which artist Gerry Tonti says is known as the tree of life in Africa. Kente, the distinctive woven cloth of West Africa, serves as the background and represents the commitment of the University to Africa, now woven into the Strategic Plan. Intertwined in the Kente cloth are two symbols:
• Nkonsonkonson, the chain link, representing unity and human relations, and serving as a reminder to contribute to the community, that in unity lies strength.
• Osram ne nsoromma, the moon and the star, symbolizing love, faith and harmony. These two West African symbols stress the importance of community, love and faith.
Through this work, Tonti was looking to depict the ideals that resonate in Africa and at the University: community, unity and spirituality. The title, he says, is taken from Ubuntu, a South African term, that reflects a philosophy of interconnectedness, the idea I am what I am because of who we all are.

Elevate by Gerry Tonti

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This mural is a representation of the Holy Spirit. It’s located across the street from the main entrance to Duquesne University – a Catholic and Spiritan University. Elevate no doubt serves as a reminder of the principles of the university as well as an inspiration to students and faculty.

Uptown Rhythm by James Simon

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Duquesne University takes up a large percentage of the Uptown real estate. They used to stick pretty much to the area south of Forbes known as The Bluff, but began an expansion across Forbes a while back. Uptown has had little in the way of shopping and eating establishments. The University brought in a Barnes and Noble bookstore, Starbucks and a Jamba Juice across from the main entrance to the campus. In an effort to connect with the community a bit more, they’ve also commissioned some artwork that reaches out to the neighborhood.

Uptown Rhythm is a 25 foot high relief mural on the outside of the Duquesne University parking garage on Forbes. It’s colorful, fun and stuffed full of an assortment of images. Jennifer Baron’s article on Popcitymedia.com explains some of the images:

The relief’s lower half is primarily comprised of musical themes, reflecting both the Hill District’s legendary jazz history, as well as the significance of music in Simon’s life. A violinist in the lower left–hand corner connects the project to Simon’s long career as a violin maker and to his father, who played the instrument. The lower panel also celebrates distinct characteristics of Simon’s urban neighborhood, featuring a man grilling ribs, corn and chicken – a heartfelt depiction of spontaneous street barbecues that dot city streets during warm weather, and a nod to Uptown favorite Mr. Ribbs, located at 1315 Fifth Avenue.

Simon creates a fluid composition, juxtaposing animals and figures in unexpected pockets of the relief: a turtle appears on the handlebars of a bright blue bike while dogs twist and turn below a gathering of horn, piano and guitar players. Architectural elements immortalize the Hill District houses adored by the artist, and include details of Duquesne University’s Cathedral, which the artist sculpted from a photograph. The gothic Duquesne D logo and bright blue arch echo the University’s entrance, creating a visual bridge and a colorful perch for a playful parrot.

On his own website Mr Simon states that the Uptown Rhythm relief sculpture depicts the activity of a vibrant community on a typical day. Though it alludes to the history of a Pittsburgh neighborhood, it examines the magic and beauty of the idea of community, an important theme in my work.

We asked Mr Simon about the significance of the turtle. He told us that he just likes turtles. Sometimes we try to read too much into the art we find!