After 12 years in limbo, the reinstallation of “Brotherhood of Man” a 1968 mosaic mural by artist Anthony Stellon is now re-located at Franklin Square Park (16th & Bryant Streets) in San Francisco, California.
The mural’s original site was the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center and Pool, and the funding has roots in a terrific Hollywood backstory.
The ink was barely dry on the Voting Rights Act of 1965 when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in April of 1968. That same year, San Francisco Mayor Joseph Alioto commissioned the young artist Anthony Stellon to create an important piece of civic art. The mural was intended for the Recreation Center in Hunter’s Point/Bayview, a racially segregated area in the outskirts of the city. The Rec Center would house San Francisco’s first community pool for African Americans and be named in honor of Dr. King. (1)
When the rebel “bad boy” star, Steve McQueen was in town filming Bullitt, McQueen’s company Solar Productions along with Warner Brothers needed to shoot a high-speed chase scene that would take place throughout in the city. Despite his tough exterior persona, as a young boy McQueen had been deeply affected by growing up in a broken home and being shuttled through various boy’s schools. His humanitarian efforts leaned toward helping children, which he did mostly in secret. (2)
Though his gift to Hunter’s Point pool was made public, his inclination to help disadvantaged kids in San Francisco was no exception. I have to wonder about the children in the photo, and what they might remember about the experience of meeting the Hollywood star? Alioto, on the other hand, had the task of raising money for his new pool and this was before the City of San Francisco was charging for film permits. Peter Hartlaub, a Chronicle Staff Writer wrote in 2003, about the backstory to the car chase (3):
“According to the legend, McQueen and San Francisco were brought together by a patch of undeveloped ground in a Hunters Point youth park.”
In a face to face meeting, they came to a gentleman’s handshake that if McQueen supported the pool, the production company would have the all the access and city support they needed for shooting the chase scene. According to Hartlaub’s article the exchange went like this:
“Mr. Mayor, you’ve got yourself a swimming pool.”
“Then you’ve got yourself a city.”
Steve McQueen attended the groundbreaking ceremony to great fanfare, where he presented a check for $25,000 toward the construction of the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center. For the design and production of the mural Anthony Stellon donated 3 months of full time work, and Alioto paid $1000 for the materials out of his personal funds. It was a labor of love.
The car chase scene is rated one of the top in film history, it took place in nine city districts — with a finale on the tarmac at San Francisco International Airport. And for you motorheads: it’s a 1968 Ford Mustang 390 GT 2+2 Fastback pursuing a 1968 440 Magnum four speed Dodge Charger.
That’s McQueen in the ‘Stang.
Enjoy the Ride!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Lbs_nYW3-o&w=640&h=480]
Wowza! I have now officially been schooled in cool! What an incredible backstory for an incredible mosaic. This whole project had soul from beginning to end. Miss Marble strikes again!
Waaaay coooool! You got it goin’ on in this one, Miss Marble!
Nancie Mills Pipgras Editor/Mosaic Maven *Mosaic Art NOW* http://www.mosaicartnow.com
thanks Nancie! yes, Miss Marble is queen of the backstory…
i love steve mcqueen
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he’s DREAMY~
Love your posts…thank you so much!
Just had a nice cup of tea while I watched the chase scene for the first time in years. Love it! And congratulations on saving and relocating Brotherhood of Man, it’s an important part of SF history.
thanks Keri! I’m so glad the SF Arts Commission and Rec and Parks continued to pursue the restoration and siting. Don’t you love the music for the chase? Funny to imagine you sipping tea whilst watching a high speed pursuit! cheers!
Excellent and very interesting article Lillian! I look forward to meeting you and seeing the Mosaic on Saturday. Bravo!
kristine