The demolition of the State Congress’s plenary hall resulted not only in the demolition of the old legislative building, but also in the loss of a work of art: the mural “For the Love of Hidalgo,” created by the Hidalgo-born designer and artist Silvino López Tovar.
The artwork, approximately 430 square meters in size, was located outside the Plenary Hall and had been inaugurated with the aim of bringing young people closer to politics and making them feel represented in public affairs, as explained by then-Congresswoman Citlali Jaramillo Ramírez, who spearheaded the project and invited her former colleagues to contribute to the creation of the mural, which cost approximately 200,000 pesos.
Among the former state representatives who funded the artwork were: María Adelaida Muñoz, María del Carmen Lozano, Rocío Jaqueline Sosa, Marcia Torres, Octavio Magaña, Jorge Hernández, Julio Manuel Valera, Juan de Dios Pontigo, and Citlali Jaramillo herself.
This is what the plenary hall looked like | Credit: LSR Hidalgo Archive
The artwork took approximately five months to complete, and its design, inspired by the posture and balance of insects, reflected symbolic elements of the state, as well as a contemporary aesthetic that sought to engage with the public and local culture.
Who is Silvino López Tovar?
Silvino López Tovar is an industrial designer and visual artist originally from Hidalgo, with a career that has transcended the local scene. Born in Tlahuelilpan and with a degree in Industrial Design from Universidad Nuevo Mundo, he has developed design, set design, and public art projects in Mexico and abroad.
His work has been exhibited at international institutions and events such as the Triennale di Milano, the National Museum of San Carlos, the Franz Mayer Museum, the London Design Festival, Expo 2022 Dubai, and the Vatican Museums, among other cultural venues.
In addition to his mural and painting work, López Tovar has designed urban furniture and iconic objects that have received national design awards and have become part of the artistic heritage of public institutions.
Source: lasillarota
