Artist Tones has taken over an alley in East Hollywood and he and other artists change it seasonally and for holidays: Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Halloween, Christmas…
WRDSMTH
A typewriter and a few words about life and love that resonate with a growing number of people on a daily basis.
Los Angeles based WRDSMTH allowed me to come into his workspace to take a few pictures while doing an interview with immersive journalist Yoonj Kim.
Before getting into street art, only about two years ago at that (calling himself a “baby” in the street art world), WRDSMTH was a traditional writer. A novelist and screenwriter. Then one early morning, he stenciled a typewriter and pasted copy near a Hollywood pawn shop and his art career began.
WRDSMTH’s art soon took over his writing. But he’s okay with that- he’s putting work up in major US cities and abroad, gaining tens of thousands of followers all over the world, doing commissioned pieces, showing in galleries and even being Tweeted by celebrities.
Artist/writers, like WRDSMTH, Morley and RM Drake are hugely popular. Their street poetry is a quick way to ingest the written word and reach the maximum number of people.
As WRDSMTH said, it is amazing to think that thousands of people are reading your work every day in the street art medium when it has become much more difficult to reach an audience in the traditional ways. Having that many people read your work is what every writer wants and WRDSMTH has found the perfect way to deliver.
WRDSMTH has been featured in gallery shows, is planning some larger scale work along with collaborations with Kai Aspire and even Hanksy.
Heidelberg Project
Detroit’s Heidelberg Project is a surreal outdoor art installation that began in 1986 by Tyree Guyton and Sam Mackey and has been continuously added to by other artists and residents. It includes houses that have been painted and decorated, as well as empty lots that have been filled with sculptures and even the trees and utility posts.
Several of the art houses have been demolished by the city and a few were victims of arson. The community is determined to keep the project going and visitor donations are helping the rebuilding process.
The main part of the Project is on one block of Heidelberg Street, but does spill over onto neighboring streets. Clocks, televisions, stuffed animals and toys, and shoes are some of the most frequently used items.
If you find yourself in Detroit, definitely make your way to the Heidelberg Project.
Bukowski
Nathan Anderson was chosen to paint a Charles Bukowski themed mural on the side of Co Op 28 in Los Feliz in anticipation of a Bukowski bar opening on Vermont and Kingswell.
Just a few feet down, someone (Nathan?) was painting a Bukowski book mural at the entrance of the bar. Maybe it will be opening soon…
Bukowski lived in Los Feliz and Silver Lake and you can find his influence and tributes to him throughout the neighborhood.
Street Poetry
Little gems by Franki Elliot scattered throughout the neighborhood. This is why I walk. Take notice of your surroundings.
Blank Slate
Projection LA is a conceptual art project by French artist Vincent Lamouroux. He’s taken over the long abandoned Sunset Pacific Motel, better known as the Bates Motel, at Sunset and Bates in Silver Lake.
Lamouroux and his team have lime washed (a rep said it is 100% natural and will not harm the trees or environment) the entire property. This includes the motel, fence, bushes, and palm trees. Everything.
Surreal and striking against a bright blue sky, and even a different feel at night. I saw a few pictures posted on IG against an overcast sky and everything blends together. Definitely go at different times of day and different weather to have multiple experiences.
The project is said to represent a blank slate and I’ve heard there are plans to finally tear down the old motel in coming weeks, so this is it’s last stand. Quite a way to go out.
There’s always someone taking a few pictures out there, but the official opening reception is Sunday, April 26, 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm.
Happy Holidays!
Street artists in the holiday spirit have struck in East Hollywood and Silver Lake to decorate the streets for Christmas.
A group of artists took over a small alley and decked it out with Christmas cheer. Tones’ Jack Skellington from “The Nightmare Before Christmas” ushers you into the alley. A few steps in reveals a snowman, presents and Christmas tree.
Self, a great writer and member of CBS crew, styled the lettering like ribbon candy and used candy cane stripes for the fill. Fresh.
A googly eyed Cookie Monster by STP MSK dons a Santa hat and munches a cookie near the end of the wall while a sleigh and falling snowflakes bookend it all.
Not too far away, Tones converted his Dia de los Muertos mural into Jack Skellington and Sally watching over Fountain Ave. Vines growing up the wall were turned into Christmas trees with a little paint for snow and real tinsel, incorporating what was already there into the design.
Where there once was a sugar skull, is now an icy winter vortex surrounded by candy canes, gifts and holly.
Thanks to these artists, we have urban festivity this time of year. Happy holidays!
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