Whose City? Public Art, Power, and Representation in the Urban Landscape

The Beauty of LA   Areas: South Central LA  By: Jennifer Fonseca      Growing up in South Central, I’ve always seen the beauty and history of this community, even when outsiders only see a negative stereotype. However, for a long time, the art on the streets was just a backdrop to my daily life, something I passed by without much thought. That changed when I started seeing the process through my partner’s eyes. Watching them create graffiti made me realize that these marks aren't just random, they are intentional acts of expression. Now, instead of just walking past, I find myself stopping to really study the walls. I find beauty in the different styles and colors all over my city.    THE ART ITSELF  HAVING YOUR OWN NAME:  The first act of independence in the graffiti scene is selecting one's own name, which enables an artist to create an identity on their own terms rather than one forced by society. It serves as both a personal brand and a s...

 The colors of Boyle Heights   By Yenifer Hernandez  The site: Boyle Heights Boyle Heights is a neighborhood in East Los Angeles with its population predominantly being Chicano/ Mexican American. The culture is reflect in the various works of art scattered thought the community. It is bright, welcoming, cheerful and resilient. This community is the epicenter of the Chicano movement and unfortunately continues to fight against injustices and gentrification. This history of the community is never forgotten for many street artists keep it alive and present in works of art. Boyle Heights homes the well known Mariachi Plaza and holds events that showcase the culture in the community such as the Dia De Los Muertos celebration.  Field Work "The Greater Love" Artist: Paul Botello Address:  E Cesar Chavez and Soto St., Los Angeles, CA 90033 Size: 13'x50' ft Date: 1992 Type: Religious Artist: OTR Graffiti Crew Address:  2415 E Cesar Chavez Ave, Los Angeles, CA 900...

  Public Art in South Central Los Angeles: Representation, Power, and Missing Voices THE SITE I focused on public art in the  South Central  area. I chose this area because people tend to look down on South Central as a whole and label it as dirty or negative, but this is where  I’m  from. Because of that, I see it differently. This community has culture, history, and people who take pride in where they come from. At first, I  didn’t  really think deeply about the murals I would pass by. They just felt like  part  of the environment. But once I started paying attention, I noticed patterns in who is being represented. A lot of the artwork highlights  important figures  from the community, especially Black men. While these figures are meaningful and deserve recognition, it made me question why women are not shown in the same way. This project looks at how public art in my area reflects pride and success, while also showing who is miss...