Public Art around St Andrews Square, Los Angeles

Esther Chang

Art 3170

Professor Aziz

Art Discovered in St. Andrews Square, Los Angeles

PHASE 1: THE SITE

        For the longest time, I said I lived in Koreatown, Los Angeles, which is not incorrect. Thanks to the fieldwork required for this particular project, I found out that I live in a historic district called St. Andrews Square. Highlighted above, the square is not a particularly large or ostentatious neighborhood. In fact, the neighborhood is extremely quiet. Unfortunately, the art was equally as silent. To be honest, I had a hard time finding art after the main street. I started looking for unique buildings, possible advertisements, maybe even posters, but it was quite difficult. Below, I present my findings.

PHASE 2: FIELD WORK

Evan Mendel

Unity in Diversity, 2020

Mural

https://www.evanmendel.com/new-page-1

        Evan's Mendel's mural, Unity in Diversity, marks the start of Saint Andrews Square. Considering the mural's name, I think Mendel's mural is fitting for the neighborhood I call home. Though the majority of residents are Caucasian and a bit older, I've found that my neighborhood is home to lots of different nationalities and age groups.

        I have included a picture taken by Evan Mendel below as the photo taken myself came out a lot darker than anticipated. It also shows the other side of the mural. It was fortunate that the first artwork I found had a artist with a website and YouTube page. From this website, I have learned that Mendel discovered graffiti as a young teenager and began mural painting in 2017. This particular mural was completed in five days.

Hans Haveron

Untitled, 2015

        This particular piece was created by Hans Haveron in 2015 when the Bun Shop Los Angeles was located on Western. Due to an explicit image by the artist's signature, I did not want to zoom in on that particular area. Seeing as how Hans Haveron included "@TheBunShopLA," I believe he specifically intended this piece for the restaurant and cannot immediately determine if it was meant to include a specific demographic. Included is "@BeautifyEarth." Upon further research, I found that Beautify Earth develops mural and street art programs.

Possible music promo for the New World Depression Album by $uicideboy$ (Record Label: Grey 59)

Album released in 2024

        This spray paint of a possible advertisement is actually located on the sidewalk. Because I was so honed into finding art directly in front of me and not below me, I almost missed it. I wanted to include this one because while the spray paint is art in itself, so is the music album! I also thought the placement was very interesting, but at the same time I think I understand while it was done. While I cannot make a comment on whether there is relation to the location of the spray paint to any of the songs in the album, I thought about people now walk -- with our faces looking down at our phones. If we think about how we're often looking down at the phone screens, what better placement than the ground?

Unknown

Unknown

        I wanted to include a couple of the graffiti works I found along Western Avenue. I included these particular pieces because the sharks seen in the left corners in both photos seem to be done by the same person.

Unknown

        I found this cute heart on my walk home from work. Now that we are in Week 11, I think my definition of public art and art has slowly widened. Yet, I still contemplated posting this photo. On one hand, its placement screams public art. On the other hand, it seemed a little too personal. Ultimately, I chose to include this piece because it is actually art. Not just because of the heart shape but because how people express their affection is also art.

PHASE 3: CRITICAL ANALYSIS

        Determining who is represented in some artworks was a lot easier than in other artworks. For instance, Evan Mendel's biography page and clear representation in his mural with people of different nationalities was extremely clear -- to represent the diversity in Los Angeles. In the more abstract pieces, like the graffiti work and the mural by Hans Haveron, it was a lot less clear. With the last photo, I think the intended audience could be everyone and anyone. If there are any other future public art projects completed in my community, I would like to see what topics are explored.

PHASE 4: PROPOSAL

        Having been a resident of Saint Andrews Square for thirty years, I have only recently noticed the lack of public art spaces. My first reaction upon reading the assignment requirements was head to the library a couple of blocks away. Surely there must be something! I looked for statues, posters...anything really. But I located nothing. The library doors were clean of fliers and decorations. I walked around the entire square looking for public art but found that after Western Avenue, the residential areas were clean. I found this quite disheartening, especially after learning St. Andrews Square is considered a historic neighborhood.

        While I realize many residents live extremely busy lives and lack leisure time, I think community engagement is extremely important. The Wilshire Public Branch Library offers free tutoring sessions, story time for children, and game sessions for teens, a specific area dedicated to advertising these free programs is key to civic engagement. I propose a bulletin board that is decorated to catch people's attention should do the trick. Another important civic engagement project would be to give the Little Free Libraries available around the neighborhood a facelift. I have found two in my general area and have found books that are torn or just unreadable. Furthermore, the box is painted brown in front of a brown house. It is almost like finding Waldo. Of course, it is up to the residents to take care of the free libraries, but seeing as how the Little Free Library is an organization it is important for someone to come out and see that the library is still good for use. It is important to note that people may be shy about borrowing certain books. Perhaps they should be lucky enough to find that book at the Little Free Library.

        Should I ever present a proposal for community engagement for public art, I would implore the city politicians to do their homework on the demographic of our neighborhood. What issues are people facing or not facing? Have a lot of younger people moved in? Have a lot of seniors moved out? Perhaps it might be best to fund different programs at the public library depending on the resident demographics.

        Though I am grateful for the peace and quiet of my neighborhood, the lack of art is a little disheartening. I wonder if people really do lose the child-like imagination that was once there. Since when did I stop looking at clouds? Since when did I stop making trips to the library? Where did I even leave my library card? If it wasn't for this class, would I have taken another art lecture? Hence, I am thankful that Evan Mendel and Hans Haveron have contributed their artworks. I am by no means calling for big-name, popular artists. I am also not calling for huge billboards and posters. But perhaps I am calling for a dedicated area for public artworks and civic engagements that don't stop at broken down Little Free Libraries.