Mission Dolores Mural Revealing the 18th Century Hidden Mural

Project Description

A projection onto the dome of the Mission Dolores Basilica exposed for the first time in over two hundred years imagery of two sacred hearts that had been hidden behind the Mission Dolores altar piece of 1796. With Presdio Trust Archaeologist, Eric Blind, we devised a systematic process to photograph the mural from behind the altar allowing it to be projected and displayed to the public for the first time.

With this project new media and digital technology gave us the opportunity to exhibit the past in a present context through the medium of projection. The computer lends itself to collecting historic imagery into a form that will allow wider access to the mural without adverse affect. The ability to publicly present this information via the internet or projection allows the public access to this valuable piece of native california history.

Project Media

• San Francisco Chronicle
  Centuries-old murals revealed in Mission Dolores
• Los Angeles Times
  Murals From 1791 Are Found at Mission
• Archeological Institute of America
  Saved by Neglect
• KQED Television
  Spark Episode, "Through the Lense"
• Senator Barbara Boxer's Office
  Boxer Announces Senate Hearing On Missions Bill
• California Department of Parks and Recreation
  State Park Announces 2004 Governors Awards
• Wikipedia
  Mission Dolores mural
• Society for California Archaeology
  SCA 2007 Archaeology Month Poster
• Video by Archaeologist Eric Blind
  The Mission Dolores Mural
• Mission Dolores Mural
  Digital Restoration Project Online