viewfromaloft

'I call it home'

DELIVERING DOWNTOWN: Oscar Arce approached VFaL with an idea for a new project and asked for a few ideas that talk about how Downtown is changing. With the increased attendance at the Downtown Art Walk seen in April, I suggested that Gallery Row on the next second Thursday of the month would be a good place for him to begin. Together we explored some of the people and places around what's been called the epicenter of the monthly art walk. At the end of the night, Tom Gilmore walked by and we took some of his time to ask him about the growth of Downtown Art Walk, and if there was any news about the corner of 5th and Main  where a former Kings Market is being planned to converted  to become administrative offices and a clinic by the County of Los Angeles for “Project 50.”

And yes, while thinking the energetic Oscar would make a good host, somehow I went from producing this segment to being at the microphone.  Either way, it's a slice of downtown.
Filmed by Christopher Brown
Second Unit: Oscar Arce
Production Assistant: Pamela Rouse
Produced by Transflux Films

Overtime

Impassionate speaking in city council chambers by CD9's Jan Perry just went over the time limit.  The subject: Patient Dumping. Perry's 6+ minutes includes recalling a night a patient was dropped off by a cab in Skid Row in front of the Neighborhood Watch Walk. A municipal ordinance to regulate the transport of discharged hospital patients is in discussion.

Add: Cameras placed in Skid Row to capture the transport of patients are referred to as "Dump Cams" by the Missions.

Add: County Health Services adds they do not believe in the ordinance, so says a representative brought up to state, and almost deny, Perrys example.

[LA35]

Added: LAT reports on the vote:. "Hospitals that leave homeless patients on Los Angeles streets without their consent would be fined $25,000 under an ordinance tentatively approved today by the City Council."

Something to Note

2 WALKS WITHIN THE WEEK: AIDS Research Alliance's  Opening Night Block Art Party for ArtSeen 3 2008 is this evening from 6 to 10pm that will have 16 Gallery Row venues preview art available for the May 17 Auction Gala.

Spring Arts Collective (453 South Spring Street ) will host the 2008 Juried Emerging Artists reception, featuring 35 artists selected by LACMA, MOCA, the Getty and UCLA curators. 

Hearty art goers will be attending the after party from 8:00 pm to midnight at the Standard Hotel (550 S. Flower St) that will feature "over 200 celebrity, contemporary and emerging artists available for viewing and purchase."  This event proceeds will benefit AIDS Research Alliance.

Opening Night Block Party
May 13, 6 to 10pm
Downtown Gallery Row,
Spring, Main, 4th and 5th Streets
After Party: May 13, 8:00 pm midnight.
Standard Hotel
550 S Flower St

DotDotDash: Public Space

Palm trees in East Los Angeles frame the bad moon rising.

DOGS PLEASE: The Downtown Dog Walkers will meet this Wednesday in Pershing Square at 6pm . .––  Dog owners, and accompanying K9 as well I presume, are being encouraged to wear their best Los Angeles Lakers gear. The walk will be quick ‘cause Game 5 tips off at 7:30 . .–– For new lofties, Laker colors are purple and gold, not unlike the Pershing Square color scheme.

Island Hopping

  Do Not Enter - SHIFT, Do Art Anytime - Islands of LA Nat'l Park 
  Originally uploaded by ISLANDS OF LA.

Ari Kletzky is the artist behind the "The Islands of LA Nat'l Park" and "Do Art Anytime" signs placed on asphalt and concrete islands in and around the city. More than a few have appeared here in the Arts District, and they are not dissimilar to Richard McDowell’s Skid Row way finders.

Composed to briefly fool the eye, and when it registers that the color composition is not official, you read the message.

Klezky questions what institution defines public space and how it is used to create community. McDowell identified the institutions that inflicted a desecration of public space within a community.

The LAT reports on the urban island signs:

Kletzky's aim is as multilayered and unconventional as the city it embroiders, drawing attention to islands of every shape, size and intention. "The signs are a way to start a conversation and an education," says Kletzky, whose project is still in the exploratory stages. "They are a gesture. An appetizer that inspires an appetite. I'm looking to generate discussion to explore use of public space by turning islands into a work of art."

<snip>

In times past, Kletzky points out "public spaces were limited, not everybody had access. This goes back to the Acropolis, maybe further," he says, citing an essay written by an urban planning professor named Margaret Crawford that had a particular resonance to him. "[In the past] those excluded -- minorities, women, the poor -- went elsewhere: their homes, yard, etc." But there is something very democratic about the traffic island. "We can take hold of these public spaces," he says. "It's a chance to make the city seem more accessible."

Park Brief

At dusk on the Main Stage, Tierra began their set at the East Los Angeles Civic Center's Grand Dedication held Saturday. The park was filled with locals and returning locals celebrating "150 years of East L.A." with a day filled with concerts and dedications.  Details TK. Flickr set here.

L.A. County Supervisor Gloria Molina taking in the concert.

Points Being Made

They are some of the best High School students to practice debate, and last Friday's they has the chance to speak at the podium in City Hall as  Councilwoman Jan Perry honored the Santee High School Global Debate Team. Respectfully shy in council chambers, they later opened up in the media room where Perry herself did the interview for LA’s Channel 35.