Ricardo Mendoza
L.A. Four Directions
2008

Project Area: Westlake
Project: Alvarado Corridor Bus Shelter Project
Project Location: Alvarado Blvd. from 3rd to Hoover
Project Type: CRA Initiated

Description:

Artworks by artist Ricardo Mendoza were installed on four Alvarado bus shelters in August of 2008. The installations are part of the Alvarado Streetscape Enhancement Project, where a total of twelve new bus shelters will be adorned with public artworks. The CRA/LA Art Program selected the bus shelters as the best locations to feature the artwork and to accompany other improvements such as lighting, trees, cross walks, side walk repair, trash receptacles, and signage. Mendoza created a series of four images per shelter, intended to help bus riders contemplate their sense of travel and stimulate curiosity for their potential destination. The images highlight four geographic directions - North, South, East, and West which correspond to Desert, Forest, Ocean, and City as relative to the surrounding geographic context of urban Los Angeles. A 3-D modeled labyrinth super imposed over each image creates a sense of inner pathways, while two full circles and two semicircular shapes arranged in an arc depict the sun's path from sunrise in the east to sunset in the west. The images were rendered on High Pressure Laminate, a very durable material.

While offering a moment of artistic design to both the pedestrian and vehicle passer by, my hope is to provide an alluring and healing association toward the unique variety of natural beauty surrounding our inner city experience.

- Ricardo Mendoza

For other projects, please see:

• Sphere Song Gateway