TORRANCE, Calif. (KABC) — A towering new mural honoring the Dodgers is taking shape on the side of a 12-story hotel in Torrance, blending Dodger blue with Japanese cultural themes.
The mural, titled “Samurai of the Diamond,” is the latest project by world-renowned muralist Robert Vargas. It will feature Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki.
Vargas, known for his murals in Little Tokyo and Boyle Heights, said the project reflects more than athletic star power.
“Celebrating a culture and contributions, foreign-born contributions, to this country and this community than just superstar players,” he told Eyewitness News.
Working 8 to 10 hours each day atop scaffolding on the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, Vargas is facing multiple challenges, from the coarse surface of the building to Southern California’s heat.
“As you can see the corrugation is pretty gnarly, and I have to really cake on the paint,” he said. “Once the paint goes on – it really dries on contact. It’s drying on the brush, so I’m going through many brushes.”
The mural is being created entirely freehand, without grids, projections or stencils. An augmented reality feature is also planned.
The large-scale artwork is already drawing crowds from the ground.
“This is such an opportunity to see a master artist at work,” Torrance resident Charlie Saulentas said.
“This area it needs some artwork – some urbanness – and that’s one thing I like about Robert. He has an urban hand. He can bring images to life,” said Devon, another Torrance resident.
City leaders say the mural carries special significance for Torrance.
“It’s going to put us internationally on a map,” Saulentas said.
Mayor George Chen noted the city’s deep ties to Japanese American culture, saying Torrance may have one of the highest concentrations of Japanese Americans in the 48 contiguous states.
The mural is scheduled to be unveiled to the public on Tuesday at 10 a.m., two days before the Dodgers’ Opening Day.
“Hopefully these players come out and take a selfie with it, that’d be great,” he said.
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