East Los Angeles Public Art - Jasmine Rojas Velarde

 City of East Los Angeles 

by Jasmine Rojas Velarde

THE SITE: East Los Angeles 

The city of East Los Angeles is one of the communities with the biggest Chicano population. Growing up in the community of East Los Angeles made me appreciate my Mexican culture tremendously. East LA is rich in it Mexican heritage. The community is not afraid to demonstrate its pride whenever it can. We have shut down streets like Whittier Boulevard because the community is not afraid to be expressive, especially during the Dodger game, one of the most beloved teams in Los Angeles. Being able to look more into my community will allow me to gain a deeper appreciation for it by examining the public art we have. Being able to learn more about the part and its purposes with a deeper gratitude and love for growing up in the community of East Los Angeles Chicanos. 

FIELD WORK 

"Whittier Boulevard Arch" 1986 

Frank Villalobos 

Steel 

65- foot-wide, 14-ton 

4629 Whittier Blvd, East Los Angeles, CA 90022

The Whittier Boulevard Arch ,also known as El Arco, is in the heart of East LA. It is a huge half circle with overlapping curving lines coming from the right, left, and top. The Arch was designed to represent the rebirth of the commercial corridor that has been in East LA for years. The arch creates a long-lasting symbolic entrance to the neighborhood. During the 70s and 80s, the Arch was associated with the lowrider movement; to this day, you can see lowriders driving under the Arch. It became a landmark for the community, representing local Latino, family, and community unity. 

" We Believe in You" 2022

Paul Botello 

unknown

50x50 

412 N Marianna Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90063

"We Believe in You" by Paul Botello is a mural that was commissioned for Esteban E. Torres High School in East Los Angeles. Seeing the construction of the mural made me curious about the reasoning behind the mural. What I believe the mural's themes are is to commemorate the community for being able to fight for their access, justice, and Equity the community has fought for. The rural depicts images of students graduating, being able to accomplish something that many of their parents couldn't. The mural also depicts farmers and how the Hispanic community is expected to lead, but the mural contradicts it by showing the growth that Chicanos have had, being able to be more than what society has expected them to be.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS 

My neighborhood of East Los Angeles has a huge Chicano community. The Public Art being shown helps embrace the Chicano/a community to show how far not just them but their ancestors have come too. The Whittier Boulevard Arch helps remind the community of all the culture there has been and will continue to be in the neighborhood. The arch was made to commemorate the large Latino community that lives in East LA and how it will be impossible to erase. It will always be there. The public art mural " We Believe in You" truly is able to depict the heritage of East Los Angeles. Showing the students and the community the mural, it helps the community remember that they are more than just stigmas or a minority. There is a deep culture that is in the roots of the community, and it will never be taken away. The mural shows students that they are capable  of achieving anything they set their mind to because of Chicanos/a that paved the path for it to be possible for them. Public art in East Los Angeles isn't just something pretty to look at; there is a deep meaning behind the art, history that needs to be remembered to show how far we have grown as a community. The Whittier Boulevard arch and "We Believe in You" both highlight how marvelous the community is and how much it has grown and will continue to grow to break social stigmas. 

PROPOSAL 

A proposal I believe would be good for the community and people visiting is  having the county making a website dedicated just to public art and the reasoning or creations of the art. Many of the art pieces in East LA don't have names, or there is no information on them. The proposal would require the county of Los Angeles to make a website and send people out to East LA or other comunitys every couple of months to see if there is any new Public art or to see if any part needs to be restored. Being able for the community with easier access to their art will make it possible for residents to be able to see different parts of their neighborhood and the real meanings behind the art they see on a daily. Also, being able to keep restoring the arts allows the art to be there for years, giving the community the opportunity to admire and appreciate the art. Being able to keep the art helps remind the community of how art has come. It serves as a reminder of the past accomplishments and future accomplishments that will happen. However, the restorations will not be made by anyone other than the artist. The courier will be able to reach out to the artist and ask if they would like to have the upkeep of the public art or if they would keep it the way it is. Art should be appreciated the way the artist intended.