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Metro Art - Not the Same Old Commute

MTA riders will begin seeing newly commissioned public artworks popping up during their commute through Los Angeles. Established in 1989, The MetroLab selection panel has chosen the first four recipients of individual MetroLab commissions. The artworks by Cindy Bernard, George Legrady, Daniel Marlos and Jessica Rath focus on transit users and the variety of experiences inherent to public transportation. The works range from a sound and color installation to photographic projections to a roving theatrical tableaux. During the month of February, "Return Engagement to Garment City" will be performed on Mon, Wed, & Thurs at 5:30, on the west mezzanine of the 7th St/Metro Center, Red Line, followed by improv scenes that alternate among vehicles on the Metro Blue Line and metro Bus downtown.

                        "The MTA's new MetroLab program may reinvent what 'transportation' means to riders," Julie Lazar, the curator and director of the L.A. based International Contemporary Arts Network, and MetroLab selection panelist said, "as they encounter four new artworks guaranteed to move their imaginations from mundane routine to an adventure of discovery." For info 213-922-4ART or visit www.mta.net/metroart. -BC

 

 

Town Hall Meeting

On Feb 1 City Councilmember of the 4th District, Tom LaBonge brought the No Hollywood community together in his inimitable style: a "Town Hall" meeting at the Lankershim Arts Center in NoHo, a former DWP headquarters. Present were nearly 60 representatives from various City departments, like the LAPD, Housing, Public Works, Street Services, and NoHo Arts Council. Community members were also present and the panel shared explanations of services and contact numbers for each other. LaBonge spoke of the departments as being an artery of information for the citizens of L.A., and that a list of those contact names and phone numbers will be available from his office shortly. Of special interest was the knowledge that a first time home buyer may recieve up to $75,000 towards a down payment on a house in No. Hollywood, that the Burbank Airport is 10% owned by L.A. yet we have no representaion at this time, that our green trash cans are to be replaced soon, and that pick-up for disposed sofas is speeding up. Speaking of disposed sofas, read on. - AM

 

 

Good Art or Bad Art in all the Right Places

Since the dissolution of the Regional Arts Councils of the Cultural Affairs Dept. of L.A., No. Hollywood has formed its own regional arts council, presently chaired by Lillian Burkenheim of the CRA. Artists and community members are being encouraged to join in order to procure funding and develop public art projects and cultural opportunities. Local artist Barbara Freeman has jumped right in and is working on an art installation through the newly formed RAC: "Sofa Henge," hopefully to be installed on Aril 1, 2002, comprised of discarded sofas and erected in a fashion similar to Stonehenge, at the empty lot in front of the Academy of TV Arts & Sciences on Lankershim in NoHo.

                        Another public art project in the works is being proposed by the Economic Alliance of the SF Valley. It consists of arches with stars on them, the logo of the Ec. Al., scattered on street islands throughout the valley. Especially important is your input into these public art projects so that non-desirable "art" does not slip into our community due to approval by fringe groups.

                        To contact the NoHo RAC, call Lillian at 818-753-1918. - AM