Westwood/Rancho Park Station
I am proud to be one of eight artists who have new Metro station opening May 20!
It is a great honor to be among the many great artists who have already completed their stations. The artists who will be working on the Expo Line include: Shizu Saldamando, Abel Alejandre, Susan Logoreci, Nzuji de Magalhaes, Constance Mallinson, Carmen Argote, Judithe Hernandez and Walter Hood. For event details go to: http://moreexpo.metro.net/#openingevents
My station is the Westwood/Rancho Park and located at 11460 Gateway Blvd 90064
The Westwood/Rancho Park at-grade station will feature a center platform east of Westwood Boulevard and north of Exposition Boulevard. The station will also feature a passenger drop-off area and a pedestrian transit plaza. Station has 6 Bike Racks and 8 Bike Lockers. Bus connections are BBB 8, BBB Rapid 12, CCB 3
Project Description
Artworks on gateway arches depict the legs of travelers headed to their destinations: a business professional with her rolling briefcase, a parent with a stroller and a hummingbird in flight. Art panels above seating areas present commuters calmly waiting. Looking at the illustrations, the viewer may notice the standing figures combine styles of dress from the past as well as the present, collapsing time and place into a series of narrative stances. Individuals reference the history of the local area: a gardener holds a young boy’s hand as the boy reaches for a dropped origami paper crane, signifying nearby Little Osaka and the many nurseries that once flourished in the area. A wounded soldier in an older style uniform stands on crutches, drawing on the memory of the Sawtelle Veteran’s Home. Each figure is purposefully placed to create a story of place illustrated through the act of commuting.
Check out video of the installation of the tiles.
PRESS:
Gizmodo: Watch the First Passenger Train to Travel from Downtown LA to Santa Monica in 60 Years
http://gizmodo.com/watch-the-first-passenger-train-travel-from-downtown-la-1775576488
Metro: Artist: Abel Alejandre
https://www.metro.net/about/art/artists/alejandre/
The Source: Metro to offer free rides, station celebrations as part of Expo Line grand opening May 20-21
http://thesource.metro.net/2016/04/29/metro-to-offer-free-rides-station-celebrations-as-part-of-expo-line-grand-opening-may-20-21/
Los Angeles Times: Metro Expo Line to begin service to Santa Monica on May 20
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-expo-line-santa-monica-opening-date-20160224-story.html
Daily News: Much anticipated Expo Line train to Santa Monica, beach will open in May
http://www.dailynews.com/general-news/20160225/much-anticipated-expo-line-train-to-santa-monica-beach-will-open-in-may
KPCC: All aboard to the beach! Expo Line to Santa Monica opens May 20
http://www.scpr.org/news/2016/02/25/57951/all-aboard-to-the-beach-expo-line-to-santa-monica/
The Source: 17 things to know about the Expo Phase 2 opening on May 20
http://thesource.metro.net/2016/02/25/17-things-to-know-about-the-expo-phase-2-opening/
Los Angeles Magazine: Metro Artist Abel Alejandre Draws Fallen Superheroes
http://www.lamag.com/culturefiles/metro-artist-abel-alejandre-draws-fallen-superheroes/
The Source: Sneak peek into fabrication process for artwork at future Westwood/Rancho Park Station
http://thesource.metro.net/2014/11/19/sneak-peek-into-fabrication-process-for-artwork-at-future-westwoodrancho-park-station/
The Source: Eight artists selected to create art for Expo Line Phase 2 stations
http://thesource.metro.net/2013/04/04/eight-artists-selected-to-create-art-for-expo-line-phase-2-stations/
KCET: Exploring the Course of the Future Metro Expo Line: Phase 2
http://www.kcet.org/departures-columns/exploring-the-course-of-the-future-metro-expo-line-phase-2
KCET: Station Art Revealed for Phase 2 of Metro Expo Line
http://www.kcet.org/departures-columns/station-art-revealed-for-phase-2-of-metro-expo-line
The Exposition Metro Line Construction Authority
http://www.buildexpo.org/design-elements/stations/#westwood-station
The Source: More pics of recent work on the Expo Line Phase 2
http://thesource.metro.net/2014/05/14/more-pics-of-recent-work-on-the-expo-line-phase-2/
Here are some photos showing the process from my studio; to the fabricator near Seattle, Washington; to the installation of panels at the Westwood/Rancho Park Station.
