🔥 Walking with History - Exploring the “Man of Fire” Installation in Downtown San José

Simba the Adventure Pup 🐾 and I explored the Man of Fire public-art installation along Paseo de San Antonio in downtown San José, California — a powerful and deeply meaningful tribute to scholar, author, and activist Dr. Ernesto Galarza.

Created by artist Kim Yasuda, this site-specific sculpture honors Galarza’s lifelong work in labor rights, education, and social justice. The installation features a large cast-bronze table filled with symbolic objects of learning and labor, a solitary chair, and flowing terrazzo ribbons set into the walkway, inscribed with bilingual texts in Spanish and English. Each element reflects Galarza’s legacy and the communities he championed.

🎥 Watch the Video

Join Simba and me as we wander down the pedestrian paseo, explore this powerful artwork up close, and highlight the textures, shapes, and stories embedded in its design.

📍 In This Video You’ll See

- Close-ups of the bronze table, symbolic objects, and the lone bronze chair
- Detailed footage of inlaid farm tools, books, and textures representing education and labor
- The flowing terrazzo ribbons with bilingual inscriptions honoring Galarza’s legacy
- A peaceful stroll with Simba as we take in one of San José’s most meaningful pieces of public art

🔥 Why This Artwork Matters

Man of Fire isn’t just an installation — it’s a story.
A story of resilience, advocacy, and the immigrant labor experience.
A story of education, empowerment, and the power of community voices.

Whether you love public art, travel with intention, or enjoy discovering cultural landmarks, this thoughtful piece on the Paseo de San Antonio is worth a visit.

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