South Central Los Angeles- Yolani Ortiz


South Central is my Home, Small but Impactful
by Yolani Ortiz



South Central Los Angeles is deeply rooted in history, cultural transformation, and resilience. I chose to work with a site that I am walking/driving distance from. I wanted to stay close to home. I wanted to showcase the air, the streets, and the noise I live in. I wanted to show the beauty in my community. I have lived here all my life. My parents migrated from Chiapas, Mexico, and found their way here in Los Angeles, California. I have not known any other community but South Central. This is my first time researching my own community, and I am forever grateful. The artwork, the murals of my community, in short, showcases what and who my community is. I chose sites that are important to me. Sites that have families, that show how a community of black an latno residents have created their version of home. South Central is home to many of us. 


Field Work


Mural by: Xolotl Kristy Sandoval Joseph Dias
Theme: South Central is Home
A Latino father and his daughter are depicted in the mural. 
Location: Slauson Corridor, Los Angels Ca.



Mural by: Xolotl Kristy Sandoval Joseph Dias
Theme: Black-Latinx relations
A father with his daughters. A boy playing.
Location: Slauson Corridor, Los Angeles, CA.


Critical Analysis

This is a single mural, but of two different images depicted. The theme is South Central is Home. Both images depict a celebration of Black and Altinx cultural identity. The history of South L.A of black and Latinx relations. African Americans migrated from the US in the 1960s to escape oppression. Mexican and Central American immigrants began moving into the area around the 1980s. The purpose of the murals is to highlight the struggle to maintain the community's identity against being erased. It shows how these two distinct groups came together to advocate for each other. Like most murals in South Central, these are done by local artists and collectives like the Community Rejuvenation Project, which is funded through donations to reflect cultural needs and identity. As well as programs like Head Start. Rather than government-issued, community members work together. 



Proposal
What I like about my community is the fight they have! We stand up for our own. In the midst of our differences, our community is one family. What I do dislike is the environmental hazards we have created. A lot of trash, a lot of vandalism, a lot of crime. 
I recommend placing art in poorly cared-for buildings and highly-tagged buildings as well. To make it a neutral zone against gangs or other affiliations. I think the theme of "Black-Latinx and South Central is home" should stay intact. We should have more messages conveying togetherness and unity.  

Proposal to Public Art Repainted in South Central LA 
South Central is known for its resilience against anything that comes its way. However, most of its artwork remains in specific sites, not expanding elsewhere. As well as current artwork, it is faded or tagged. Due to environmental issues. vacant lots, school perimeters, parks, and bridges are good places to start to add culturally vibrant artwork to liven up the place. Showcasing that our home is a home of creative spirits and cultural awareness. Paint those gray, old buildings colorful!


Thank you.






Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Leimert Park Neighborhood in Los Angeles

Image
  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 ...
Read more

Arts District Public Art Erica C

Image
Outline 11/12 ( formulating final thoughts) Art in my neighborhood  I live on 629 Traction Ave. I would consider my neighborhood 50% Arts District and 50% Little Tokyo. That’s really interesting to me because part of the everyday architecture that I see is heavily influenced by Japanese architecture, however the other half is this industrial, gentrified, grungy architecture that reflects the early history of the Arts District. Although these spaces are so close in proximity and can sometimes cross barriers, they have completely independent histories. Little Tokyo has been home to a large Japanese community since the 1800’s. The Japanese population has faced heavy subjugation and racism and they remained strong. There is a resilience to this town. In my opinion an important artwork that reflects the hopeful and happy integration of the Japanese- American community is titled “LA Rising”. Across the street from me is Angel City Brewery. It is considered a staple 3rd space for the arts...
Read more

Silver Lake Public Art- Shay Harding

Image
Public Art in Silver Lake I chose the neighborhood of Silver Lake, Los Angeles , as the site for my civic engagement project. Silver Lake is known for its  trendy and creative "hipster" culture  — a place where fashion-conscious individuals, artists, and innovators live side by side. As a visitor that works in this neighborhood, I have always been drawn to the way the neighborhood uses murals, graffiti, and street art to express identity, history, and social commentary. I photographed several works of public art in Silver Lake, including murals and street pieces located along Sunset Boulevard and nearby intersections. Location: Utility box on  Hyperion Ave & Monon St Artist: Unknown Theme: Reconnecting with the inner child, The work can be read as a commentary on innocence, identity, and the presence of youth in an urban environment, "LA Kids" Representation: The figure is stylized and abstract, i t is not linked to any specific race or age. This allows for...
Read more