viewfromaloft

Urban Art Review: Cat Rallies Against Dogs

Cat Yak (2011)

Artist unknown

Home printed flyer, red gaffer tape, tree at 500 S Spring

Flyers exemplifies section of downtown Los Angeles, populated with creative professionals, dealing with daily urban life. A neighborhood protest against dog owners who don't pick up after pet expressives clear frustration of walking and trying to keep the bottom of shoes clean. Added element of pet owner politics makes a clear statement. The graphic of sick feline is payed off with the message: "My Cat doesn't yak on your sidewalk; Pick up after your dog SH#&^%!!"

It even uses a semicolon.  Plus, one suspects the use of red tape was purposful, not just convenience.

Posting of photo of sign on social networking site has prompted discussions of pet ownershop, clean streets, and comparisons to other urban cores.

Photo: Megan Spanjian

'Eagle' With Climate Message in Downtown Los Angeles

"Solar Eagle Taking Flight" in Downtown Los Angeles: Photo by John Quigley / Spectral Q. (11.21.10)

'NOT AN EAGLE' SEEN IN 'NOT A CORNFIELD': This eagle flying toward the city is made of 1,000 volunteers with solar photovoltaic film sheets, a collaboration between Spectral Q and 350.org. It was created Sunday afternoon at Los Angeles Historic State Park, one in a series of installations taking place around the world until November 27. During the week, the global climate art projects will be photographed from a satellite and presented at the United Nations Climate Talks being held in Mexico in early December.

ADD 11.24: David Markland was on the ground taking pics.

Two more of these shots, taken from a helicopter, after the jump.

View From A Floor: City Hall from LAPD Headquarters

Civic Surveillance

Chow,  2010

Blackberry Digital

The ephemeral allusion of City Hall, built at the beginning of one century, is reflected in LAPD’s headquarters’ vast windows framed with metal, a building completed almost 83 years later. The sharp angle slopes to just eliminate the tip of the City's Beaux Arts landmark, giving a unconscious subtle shift of authority to the photographer.The document of two political collaborators, in constant surveillance of each other, comes from a position of authoritative access,

While the public, nor photographers, have free access to this floor, phones equipped with a camera are now standard issue for LAPD personnel. The framing of the image, timed for afternoon light, gives a clear narrative. Then the photographer uses a semi-public platform (FB) for initial presentation. That becomes one answer to "What makes a good photo?" It can be as simple as accessibility, execution, and presentation.

 

Photo: LAPD Commander Blake Chow  / 11.19.10

Exhibition: VFaL Public Photos