“From my front porch, we could see Downtown L.A.,” artist Robert Vargas remembered about his childhood home in Boyle Heights. “From our backyard, I could see Dodger Stadium and the fireworks on the weekends. With those views, I would dream big – and paint big.”
Vargas’ comments came Wednesday just ahead of the unveiling of his latest work, “L.A. Rising,” the huge mural depicting new Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, on the side of the Miyako Hotel.
Vargas began painting the work on March 8, and worked feverishly – often overnight – to complete the mural ahead of the Dodgers’ home opener on Thursday.
Vargas was still putting finishing touches on the work early Wednesday, but a large blue tarp covering the side of the building was lowered by late morning to reveal the completed project. The artist noted that the mural was drawn freehand, with no stencils or gridwork that are often used to guide large-scale paintings.
“This project came together as a means toward unity and bridging cultures,” he said. “We meet from the east side of L.A. all the way to the Far East.”
The 150-foot mural depicts the Japanese sensation Ohtani in his new Dodger uniform in a pair of images – one swinging a bat and the other pitching – highlighting the talents of the offensive and defensive standout.
The project got its genesis in ideas Vargas had while eating at a sushi bar in Little Tokyo. Explaining his vision to the chef, Vargas was overheard by Masato Kagaya, owner of the KaGaYa shabu shabu restaurant.
“Masato-san called me and told me about the idea, and as an artist myself, I wanted to help this happen,” explained Naoko Horii, who helped design the inside of the Miyako Hotel. “This wall will bring a new vibrant energy to Little Tokyo, especially after the closing of Suehiro,” she said.
At least 200 people flocked to Little Tokyo for the big reveal on Wednesday, many clad in Dodgers gear and at one point, chanting “Let’s go Dodgers!”
Kenko Sone, the Consul General of Japan in Los Angeles, said he marvels at Vargas’ ability to bring communities together through his art.
“Sports is an important aspect of cross-cultural communication and cooperation, and Little Tokyo is the heart of Japanese American community,” Sone said.
Bunka-Do is one of the oldest businesses in Little Tokyo, and the new mural towers directly above the store.
“This is an incredible gift to the community,” Bunka-Do owner Irene Simonian said. “Not only is it important to have a superstar like Ohtani grace this building, but also to have an artist of the caliber of Vargas to choose this community.”
Vargas has numerous murals around the L.A. area, as well as internationally, including France and England. In 2022, the city of Los Angeles dedicated the intersection of Pennsylvania and Boyle avenues in Boyle Heights as “Robert Vargas Square.”
–Mikey Hirano Culross; additional information from City News Service