Notes: 42" X 48" 7/25/38. A vertical view of the County Administration Building in its early years (late 1930's early 40's), with bustling pre-Colonial Native American village scene of agriculture and trade in lower foreground; midground a vista towards the County Administration Building, fading to the hills with contemporary (1930's to 1940's) architecture of San Diego as a thriving, growning city, the Bay beyond. This is a statement of optimism captured in the architecture of the CAC, and the social optimism of San Diego's WPA artists, such as Reiffel, who played an integral role in the design of the building. Note the forward looking progress of time as it relates to our city's early inhabitants which calls us to symbolically look upwards to the future of San Diego as represented in Modernity. The philosophical focal point of this optimism is the Civic Center, which is the former name of the Administration Building. This painting is a tangible and fine example of the belief in civic unity, which underlies many of the commissions of the WPA artists in civic buildings throughout the United States. Also of connection to other WPA works in civic buildings is the positive and uplifting use of regionalism, Native roots, and the progress of civic life through the hands of man as exemplified in agriculture, architecture and industry. Ironically this piece is entitled, "The Invasion," artist titled in his own hand verso board. This title calls into question just what or who is invading, and may possibly be a tongue-in-cheek reference to the social optimism of the prescribed WPA style.
LOCATION: Board of Supervisors Library
ASSET NUMBER: 82275
Charles Reiffel
"The Invasion"
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