Leimert Park Neighborhood in Los Angeles

 Leimert Park Neighborhood in Los Angeles 

PHASE 1: Site Selection

I chose Leimert Park because it's in my neighborhood and features a variety of artworks.

I would always pass through there, although I never really took time to see the artworks they had. 

Phase 2: Field Work 

Title of the Artwork: “Kulture Keepers” 

Location: Leimert Park Station on the K Line

Artist: Stephanie Mercado

Date: 2024

Medium: paper-based animation

Title of artwork:  “Anthology of Leimert”

Location: Leimert Park Station on the K Line

Artist: Momodu Mansaray

Date: Unknown 

Medium: Digital media 

Title of the Artwork: “Puffing with Patties to Leimert Park”

Location: “Leimert Park Station on the K Line”

Artist: Isaiah Ferguson

Date: 2024

Medium: animation

Title of the Artwork: “Untitled”

Location: Leimert Park Station on the K Line

Artist: Mickalene Thomas

Date: 2022

Medium: large-scale hand-cut glass mosaic mural

PHASE 3:  

Mickalene's "Untitled" artwork is a large-scale hand-cut glass mosaic mural that was created to convey the history and Culture of Leimert Park, which includes the Vision Theater and the Leimert Park fountain. The Olmsted brothers designed the Fountain at Leimert Park. It became a place where African Americans socialized. The Vision Theatre, a landmark in Leimert Park, was once a movie palace and later transformed into a performing arts center. The K Line Leimert Park artworks represent African American culture and the gatherings that are part of it. "The Anthology of Leimert" by Momodu Mansgray. Digital media showcases the traditions of the black community, such as the drum circle, where participants play the drums and dance, bonding with the community and demonstrating the substantial impact of music on the Leimert Park community. "Puffing with Patties", an animated artwork, shows how it passes by, acknowledging the emblems of Leimert Park, such as an African drum circle and the Vision Theater. "The Kulture Keepers" by Stephanie Mercado showcases other traditions, including low riders and mask parades. Leimert Park has a special place for black residents to come together. They often have jazz festivals, Juneteenth festivals, and live performances. The "Untitled" artwork by Mickalene Thomas features structures such as the Vision Theater and the Leimert Park fountain. This was created to let others know the history and Culture of Leimert Park. 

PHASE 4:

The artwork I enjoyed more is the "Untitled" artwork by Mickalene Thomas. Her art is made of glass mosaic. The artist used photo collage techniques to create the layered composition. The "Untitled" artwork was created from pieces of glass tiles in various colors. Mickalene began with a photo collage to create this large piece, which transformed into a mosaic. Mosaic is a piece of art that's made by small pieces of glass tiles to create patterns. When viewing this artwork, you see a multidimensional perspective that creates a foreground, middle ground, and background. The artwork features a diverse range of colors and patterns. I appreciate how the artwork highlights all the landmarks of Leimert Park. The "Puffing with Patties to Leimert Park" piece by Isaiah Ferguson is an animated, magical Afro-Cuban breakfast train going to  Leimert Park. The train passes through the community of Leimert Park, showing a drum circle, the Leimert Park Vision Theater, and the fountain. I personally didn't dislike anything. I would like to have artworks that represent Hispanic culture in my community, since I'm Hispanic. 

I encourage the community I live in to incorporate different cultural arts, such as Hispanic art. I would reach out to whoever is in charge through social media, such as TikTok, since many people use TikTok and flyers to capture their attention.