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A representation, but not a literal rendering of the arch by artist Peter Shire
This year marks the 30th anniversary since the NoHo Arts District began to change from scary, dirty and dangerous to the still-blossoming arts and theatre neighborhood. Part of the neighborhood's redevelopment are three public art projects including a gateway arch that will be revealed next week by prolific public artist Peter Shire, who may be known for his work at the Wilshire/Vermont Subway Station, Union Station, Elysian Park, LACMA, West Hollywood and various other places around town.
“I love public art projects because, when they’re done right, they give identity and character to a neighborhood," said City Councilman Tom LaBonge in a statement. "This Peter Shire installation is a special project because it celebrates North Hollywood’s contribution to the entertainment industry, so the design relates to the neighborhood."
The gateway, which will be illuminated at night, incorporate the behind the scenes support of the entertainment industry (think characters building sets, operating cameras and designing costumes). The support structure will be painted a vibrant yellow, with the
artwork contrasting in a range of reds, oranges and stainless steel.
The unveiling will take place next week Thursday night at its location of Lankershim and Huston. ExperienceLA has RSVP info.
For the Record: An earlier version of this post suggested that there were going to be three gateway arches. In fact, there will be three public art projects coming down the pipeline, including this gateway arch.
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Sorry, but this just sounds goofy. I hope I'm wrong and it turns out supercool, but I have my doubts. As I've said elsewhere, the art at the Wilshire/Vermont Metro station is simply soul-zapping, though I like some of Shire's other work. I just hope this doesn't become one of those meaningless things that is mostly ignored; which people will look at in a few years and wonder What in the hell were they thinking?
The thing has arrived and is currently sitting on a side street just off Lankershim. I don't think it will take years for people to wonder "What in the hell were they thinking?" I'm wondering that and it hasn't even been put up yet. This is the e-mail I sent to Councilman LaBonge's office a few minutes ago:
Dear Mr. Mensman,
Someone in your office suggested you might be the person to speak to about the Lankershim Gateway that will be installed in North Hollywood on Wednesday night.
I've been a resident of this neighborhood for about 20 years now. I live just off of Lankershim and work on Lankershim but didn't know anything about this project until I saw the... uh... I guess we're calling it a "sculpture," blocking a side street today on my way to work. I'm going to set aside my artistic opinion about the piece since, admittedly, we all have different taste and just because I think it looks either like a leftover prop from a really bad Tim Burton movie or, perhaps, a broken down carnival ride doesn't mean that everyone will feel the same about it. Eye of the beholder and all that.
But before I decide how outraged I need to be about this whole thing, I would like to get more information about how much it cost and how it was paid for. I'm sure the project was started years ago when people actually had money, but when we're in a situation where the state of California is issuing IOU's and the Governor is suggesting shutting down essential services such as HIV/AIDS programs, you can probably understand why someone might be a little perplexed about why we're spending money to erect broken down carnival rides... sorry... sculptures across Lankershim Boulevard.
I want you to know that I'm all for the arts and public funding of the arts. I am a proud liberal (or as my very conservative parents might say, "a commie") but it is stuff like this, at times like this, that make me start to understand why people want to become Republicans.
So if you could point me toward the information so I can figure out how outraged I need to be, I'd appreciate it. I won't do anything with my outrage other than be outraged and whine to my friends about it and perhaps find a different route to work so I don't have to drive under it every day.
Thank you for your time.
Shire was awarded commisioned in 2002. I do not know the cost but the money was allocate many years before our current fiscal crisis.
Lvbsouth, I hope you will share that information with the rest of us. I am already outraged by the ridiculous sidewalk "art," and this gateway has just compounded my anger. Why waste money on this ugly stuff when you could be, you know, fixing potholes? That would certainly make NoHo a nicer place to live and work. And don't even get me started on paying for this while we have a budget crisis going on. Ridiculous! I'll be expressing my outrage at the voting booth.