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MY METRO STATION OPENS TO THE PUBLIC ON MAY 20, 2016!!!
Westwood/Rancho Park Station
I am proud to be one of eight artists who have new Metro station opening May 20!
Friday & Saturday only! Free rides open to the public on the entire metro expo line.
Friday, May 20 starting at 12pm
Saturday, May 21 10am to 4pm
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
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.
Each of the twelve panels are made up of three steel tiles. The steel is sprayed with porcelain enamel by the Washington based Winsor Fireform fabricator’s specialists. The artwork provided was then transferred onto the tiles through a photo process somewhat similar to negative film was onto photo paper. The porcelain enamel plates were then baked into the finished tiles they are now. To be sure this an art onto itself. The tiles were shipped to California and assembled in custom steel frames to later be installed as illustrated above.
Westwood/Rancho Park Station is located at 10800 Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064
Westwood/Rancho Park Station is located at Exposition Boulevard just east of Westwood Boulevard, between Westwood Boulevard and Overland Avenue. This station is located in Rancho Park, an affluent single-family neighborhood south of Westwood and southwest of Century City. The station location is a short walk from the Westside Pavilion shopping mall.
The station features a center platform east of Westwood Boulevard and north of Exposition Boulevard. The station also features 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
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.
