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

Public Art in Commerce California Whose City? Public Art, Power, and Representation in the Urban Landscape The Site I chose Commerce because the street art I selected shows different ways a city can present itself. The Triggs Street murals place art on transportation infrastructure. The Commerce Shopping Center murals combine neighborhood scenes with cultural and recreational imagery. At Citadel Outlets, historic architecture and advertising share the same space. Comparing these locations allows me to ask whose stories become visible and who has the power to shape the city’s image. What interests me most is the relationship between community pride and commercial identity. The street artwork suggests that Commerce can be represented through local people and achievements, but also through shopping and recognizable landmarks. My project examines how these messages appear in places that people pass during everyday activities. Field Work Part One Triggs Street Image 1. The gateway spans the...

  I chose to do El Monte, California because it has been my home since I was five years old. My parents also grew up here; they both went to El Monte High School. I also attended school in El Monte from Kindergarten through High School, and now my son is growing up there. I chose El Monte not only because of how meaningful this city is to me, but also because, after watching The South El Monte’s Art Posse video “Lost Murals of Greater El Monte,” I learned that in the late 1970s, the city banned murals after controversy and triggers that came from some murals that were done. One mural was “La Adelita,” and what set them over the edge was an artist/professor, Ron Reeder, proposing to place a mural behind the El Monte Theatre of Godzilla attacking the city. The idea behind the mural was to unite the community against a “common enemy” rather than against each other. Instead, the mural ban remained in effect until 2018. Learning this definitely sparked my interest more. Below are images...

  The Site - Boyle Heights  I was born and raised in Boyle Heights. Being a member of this community I was always exposed to different kinds of art ranging from murals and graffiti to things like literature. Boyle Heights is a very diverse location and community that takes great pride in its history and its people. There are so many murals and paintings that celebrate not only historical figures but events and community figures as well. There is a long history in this community, a history of pride, struggle, activism, and  perseverance. The art that is displayed in Boyle Heights is often a call to the areas sense of pride and people. Art is one of the ways this community and its people show they are proud of where they come from and where they live. As I have lived here my entire life, I know some of the individuals in the community and asked some of them some questions about the art present. Field Work El Corrido de Boyle Heights East Los Streetscapers (David Botell...

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  The Site I chose to focus on Glendale when doing the civic engagement project. The reason I picked Glendale was, honestly, very shallow. I really like one of their shopping centers, and I pass by a statue whenever I go to Barnes & Noble in that shopping center. I've never really looked into it. I figured it was a way to make the area look nice, and I continued on my way. However, I could not do this project on just one statue, and so I started looking into works in the area. Which is how I came across all the other works that are in this project.  Art works 1: 526 Americana Way, Downtown Glendale, CA  Spirit of American Youth (2008) by Donald Harcourt De Lue The 2008 piece, Spirit of American Youth, was a small, half-size casting of the original version of the 22-foot bronze figure depicting a nude American youth with arms outstretched to the sky, with an inscription on the pedestal that read, "Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord." This statue wa...

  Benjamin Dominguez La Laguna de San Gabriel, 1965 Concrete playground sculpture Location: Vincent Lugo Park, 420 South Ramona Street, San Gabriel, CA 91776 Ozzie the Octopus Location: Vincent Lugo Park, San Gabriel, CA Ozzie the Octopus is the centerpiece of La Laguna and has become one of San Gabriel's most beloved landmarks. For decades, local families have recognized Ozzie as the heart of the playground, making it a nostalgic destination for many adults who now bring their own children to experience the artwork. More than just a sculpture, Ozzie represents the connection between art and community. It is an example of how public art can create lasting memories while becoming an important part of a city's identity. San Gabriel Mission Playhouse Decorative Murals, Tapestries, and Interior Artwork Location: 320 South Mission Drive, San Gabriel, CA 91776 The San Gabriel Mission Playhouse is another important example of public art in San Gabriel. Inside the historic building...

Mockingbird Tree with Oranges, 2020  Stainless Steel and Gold Leaf Location: 7216 Autumn Ave., The Commons at The Groves in Whittier The Final Salute, 2011 Location: Whittier Police Department, 13200 Penn St.  The Final Solute Police Memorial stands as a solemn tribute to the police force. The statue is a powerful and evocative representation of Officers Mike Lane, John Pierce, and Keith Boyar, three Whittier police officers who passed in the line of duty.  Carol Gold  The Storyteller, 2007  Location: Whittwood Branch Library, 10537 Santa Gertrudes Ave. " The Storyteller," the second commissioned public art piece by the City of Whittier, was dedicated on December 7, 2007, at the Whittwood Branch Library.  Created by the talented artist Carol Gold, "The Storyteller" beautifully captures the significance of verbal communication and serves as a symbol of the flowing river of knowledge that unites individuals of all ages. It encourages us to embrace the art of ...