Sprawling new seascape mural decorates the waterfront

"Bright, bold and fanciful, a 4,000-square-foot mural has overtaken the historic bulkhead at Pier 19½, its presence as sprawling as the octopus tentacles it depicts. In a nod to its waterfront location, "Beneath the Bay" features larger-than-life sea creatures playfully interacting with San Francisco landmarks. The artwork is part of the initiative "These City Walls," commissioned by Levi Strauss & Co., to create 25 new murals across the city."

""Levi's was founded in San Francisco over 170 years ago, so we have a really deep commitment to the city we continue to call home," said Alexis Bechtol, director of community affairs at Levi Strauss & Co. "This mural project is one of those ways we're working to support San Francisco's revitalization." The denim maker partnered with local artists at 1AM Projects as well as the Port of San Francisco, which provided the space for the mural. Bechtol said they decided to approach 1AM after seeing their large murals across the city. "We're not artists," Bechtol said. "We make jeans.""

"Daniel Pan, co-founder of 1AM, who was born and raised in San Francisco, said the jeans maker had a hands-off approach to the mural design. "That was the part that really surprised us," he said, noting it is atypical of grant funders. Pan and his business partner, Antoine Marnata, painted San Francisco history into the final design: The "Welcome Home" on the anchor is a nod to the many returning veterans whose entry point was on the waterfront, and a transit car represents the Embarcadero's history as one of the busiest rail lines in the world. Yet looming largest of all are the sea creatures - a giant crab and an affable seal, as well as the octopus. "When you think of the Embarcadero, the animals kind of come first," Pan said."

A 4,000-square-foot mural titled "Beneath the Bay" covers the historic bulkhead at Pier 19½ and depicts oversized sea creatures interacting with city landmarks. The piece is part of the "These City Walls" initiative commissioned by Levi Strauss & Co. to create 25 murals across San Francisco; it is the fifth completed and the largest. Levi Strauss partnered with local artists at 1AM Projects and the Port of San Francisco provided the site. The company maintained a hands-off design approach, allowing artists to incorporate local history elements like a "Welcome Home" anchor and a transit car alongside giant marine animals.

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