viewfromaloft

July 2012 Mural Posts

"Peasant Saint" (2001)  Norma Montoya and Yamilette Montoya Duarte. Photo: Helen Ly

A round-up of my mural and street art posts at KCET.org. Bonus: Woody Guthrie talks Skid Row.

The Cardboard and Chalk of Downtown L.A.
 July 26, 2012: A series of recent pop-up street art, from chalk drawings to cardboard installations, has been designed to invoke political and social commentary.
 
A Mural Installation Isn't a Weapon of Mass Reproduction
July 24, 2012: Advocating for paint-only murals border on censorship and elitism, as well as contradict how David Siqueiros pushed technology until his passing in 1974.

'Peasant Saint' In Little Tokyo a Spiritual Mashup
July 16, 2012: A mural in Little Tokyo honors the Spanish, Jewish, American-Indian, and African-Americans that lived in the area before it became the center of Japanese American activity.

Mural Ordinance Grievances: What to Expect [UPDATED]
July 12, 2012: The mural ordinance hearing is currently under way. Here's a rundown of what to expect.

Guide: Downtown Art Walk, July 12, 2012
July 11, 2012: It's that time again.This checklist is a chance to take a look at what is happening in city core's art world.

Mural 'Replicas' Installed on the 101 Freeway
July 6, 2012: New mural replicas printed on recycled plastic and vinyl make the commute on the 101 freeway a little bit easier on the eyes.

ARTBOUND

From Lincoln Heights to Los Feliz: Woody Guthrie's Time in Los Angeles
July 17, 2012: Singer and songwriter Woody Guthrie, who would have been 100 years old last Saturday, found his writing voice in Los Angeles, specifically in Skid Row.

Guest Editorials

Muralist Judy Baca On L.A.'s Digital Divide
July 19, 2012: Muralists have embraced innovative technology to advance L.A.'s mural tradition -- but some paint-only advocates have been holding them back.

LA Times Photography Show At Art Walk

 

LA Times Pop-Ups At Art Walk

By Helen Ly

Among the ruckus that is Downtown Art Walk, Joe's Auto Park on the corner of 2nd and Spring became the Los Angeles Time's Pop-Up Gallery "Framework,” an event that joined the one-day-only street performers, craft tables, and temporary gallery space.

In recent years, the viability of Art Walk has come into question after reports of overcrowding, permit issues, and general lack of sales for regularly operating galleries. The LATimes exhibition, its second annual show, featured the paper's visual journalism department and was a needed addition to the night’s art scene.

Art Walk Add: Task Force In Action. City Hall releases statement.

Art Walk Talk: A release from City Hall taps into the current buzz as covered in Art Walk Preview.  It states that the August Art Walk will be the first month LAFD and the County Health Department will "no longer issue any permits for vending between 3rd and 7th street and Spring and Main, areas identified to be overly congested by art walk activities."

The two agencies, part of the Art Walk task force, are working to "expedite permits" with interested vendors in the areas outside the zone, designed to shift Art Walk's growth outside the four-block area in Downtown's Historic Core and Gallery Row.

“Art Walk is an organic event that has grown in attendance and popularity alongside the revitalization of our urban downtown," said Councilwoman Jan Perry in the Wednesday morning statement.  "Our number one priority is to support public safety efforts and ensure that Art Walk continues as a sustainable, positive event for the entire Los Angeles community."

“Art Walk is a fantastic event that draws thousands downtown and we want to ensure that it remains active and viable,” says Councilmember José Huizar.  “We’re hopeful that the safety changes we’re implementing for tomorrow’s Art Walk will allow us to reduce large crowds drawn to non-art related activities.”

In the Historic Core, Spring street divides Perry's 9th District and Huizar's 14th District.

The statement also says the city will continue police presence to handle previous turn restrictions on Main for northbound traffic at 3rd and 4th, and on Spring from southbound traffic at 4^th St. and 6th St.

Inspectors from different departments will keep sidewalks clear of DJ equipment, craft vendors and carts, plus monitor permitted food / craft lots. The city is prepared to shut down unpermitted lots.

 

Art Walk Preview for 8.11.11: Candles Lit, Food Trucks Moved, Galleries Go On

Memorial for Baby Marcello on Spring St, July 21 2011.

As can be expected, it is not the usual Art Walk Preview this month. After the jump, you will find information on a fundraiser for baby Marcello, learn about the first shot across the Spring Street bow from the task force, and a list of some of the exhibitions you can find during Downtown Los Angeles Art Walk on August 11, 2011.

Art Walk Preview for 7.14.11: Hello Chaos

Downtown LA Art Walk is upon us, and the monthly night out has the Art Walk Lounge using the summer night by taking over the Paragon Parking Lot at 434 S Spring, between 4^th and 5^th. That is where you can get a t-shirt made, pick up a map, and get some “freebies.” Also, featured on the lounge grounds is a custom-painted 1962 International Scout created by The Art of Chase, and the debut of ART SQuare, a new vendor space showcasing crafts.

ADD 5:30pm on Wed: Grand Central Market rep says 95% of vendors will be open until 9pm. Parking lot is open until 9pm with $3 flat rate.

But frankly, it will always be the art that makes Art Walk. That is what brought Congresswoman Roybal-Allard Downtown to wander through June's Art Walk on a private tour. Now, it may have been too much to hope that the royal couple extended their schedule so they can take in CB1 Gallery before hitting the Nickel Diner for a bacon donut, but one can speculate the news of Downtown’s creative culture has reached other shores.

The walk official hours are 6pm to 10pm, but regulars know you can make it a full day with the galleries and museums open throughout the day. This July 2011 look at the committed folks who bring you art for Art Walk is sponsored by DTLATonight, whom I refer to as the official Bar Stalker of Downtown Los Angeles. (Follow me on twitter for any updates @viewfromaloft.) Now, here is the bait for art stalkers. It's after the jump.

Something to Note

2 WALKS WITHIN THE WEEK: AIDS Research Alliance's  Opening Night Block Art Party for ArtSeen 3 2008 is this evening from 6 to 10pm that will have 16 Gallery Row venues preview art available for the May 17 Auction Gala.

Spring Arts Collective (453 South Spring Street ) will host the 2008 Juried Emerging Artists reception, featuring 35 artists selected by LACMA, MOCA, the Getty and UCLA curators. 

Hearty art goers will be attending the after party from 8:00 pm to midnight at the Standard Hotel (550 S. Flower St) that will feature "over 200 celebrity, contemporary and emerging artists available for viewing and purchase."  This event proceeds will benefit AIDS Research Alliance.

Opening Night Block Party
May 13, 6 to 10pm
Downtown Gallery Row,
Spring, Main, 4th and 5th Streets
After Party: May 13, 8:00 pm midnight.
Standard Hotel
550 S Flower St

Beginning of an Art Walk for May

Live painting on Gallery Row: Graffiti artist Andrea Kasy arrived from the city of Bagnaia to join other Italian artists gathering at Crewest for tonights Downtown Art Walk, and the gallery has Winston closed between Main and Los Angeles St until 9pm. Details Details: The event's sponsor, Kobra Paint, is here but their paint didn't make it; It's frozen in customs. The live art exhibition is going on with Crewest suppling some of the paints because Downtown Art Walk and Downtown Comedy Walk can't be stopped. More later.

The All-New Ethos for 2008

After years of being the generic background player in ads hawking cars, Main Street gets to play the growing reincarnation of itself––as seen in this photo from an e-mail blast sent to interested buyers who stated they are planning to purchase a car soon. 

It's the All-New Nissan Rouge, a "crossover for work and play" waiting for a green light in front of Pete's Cafe. In the email, the headline reads "Leave no Café unattended, no gallery unexplored."  For one creative director, Downtown L.A. as generic slick is so two hours ago. It's an asphalt party with a touch of bad boy on a Bluetooth.

Pictured: Nissan Rouge in Gotham Gray. Also available in Wicked Black. Downtown myth may appear larger in the mirror.

A night out

Comedian, writer, and blogger for The Huffington Post , Rick Overton, on stage at the Palace Theatre. Harsh lighting with improvised lights gave Downtown's first comedy walk a raw look.  A few more photos from both the Downtown Art Walk, and the first Downtown Comedy Walk, after the jump:

Window Art

Back in December, artist Megan Geckler started the labor intensive 5th and Main window installation "Set a course for wayward schemes" for BGFA.  The official debut is today at the Downtown Art Walk; a night that features a mix of art and comedy around Gallery Row. Photo: Geckler / 12.07