The Olmec were an ancient civilization in Mexico that thrived from around 1200-400 BCE. They were one of the first major civilizations in the region, and are considered the mother culture of many later cultures, including the Maya and Aztecs.

They also made giant stone heads. I’ve always been a big fan of the modern-made example located at the City College of San Francisco, which is near our house, and which I run or walk the dogs past several times per week.

This one is called “El Rey” and was made by Maêsiro Ignacio Perez Salano in 2004.

It’s been a prominent landmark in my life for almost a decade. One of my favorite times was when someone put a mask on it at the beginning of COVID!

Anyway, the school is in the process of demolishing the Diego Rivera Theater, to which “El Rey” sits adjacent. It was cool a few years ago watching them move the giant “Pan-American Unity” mural out of the theater and into the SFMOMA, so I wasn’t too surprised when one day I saw them wrapping up “El Rey.”

Pretty soon they had moved it off its pedestal and onto a flatbed trailer. I was bummed to say goodbye to it!

But the good news is that it was only moving across Frida Kahlo Way, to its new home at the recently-completed CCSF STEAM building!

For some reason, as of this morning, it has been re-covered by a tarp, maybe in preparation for a formal grand unveiling. At any rate, I’m glad I’ll be able to look upon this friendly face again soon!