Take a look at the above street scene in Los Angeles. See anything unusual?
If you haven’t noticed it, a closer look:
That object decorated in a Route 66-themed scene and other bright colors is a common utility box, located in East Hollywood at the corner of Normandie and Santa Monica Boulevard (aka Route 66).
LA Commons repainted the utility box. Heather Hoggan, a representative with the group, explained in an email:
LA Commons is a non-profit organization that pairs local youth from primarily low-income neighborhoods in Los Angeles with local artists. Using story gathering techniques, the youth research what it is that makes their neighborhoods special or unique and the artist(s) help them take those stories and turn them into a public art piece. We finished the Easy Hollywood boxed at the end of December.
LA Commons also uses the those same stories to promote cultural tourism around Los Angeles by offering docent led tours throughout the year.
I’ve found such projects delightful. There’s nothing like taking something mundane and making it interesting or even beautiful. In its own way, LA Commons’ projects are not unlike the repainting of abandoned gas stations in Tucumcari, N.M., and elsewhere on Route 66.
(Photos courtesy of Martha Benedict and LA Commons; hat tip to Scott Piotrowski)
In Cuba, MO we paint everything that doesn’t move. LOL. We have a couple of painted MoDOT traffic control boxes too.
very cool.