Collection Guide
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Metro Art Department collection of Metro Rail public art photographs
22-DPGTL
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Library and Archives
Title: Metro Art Department collection of Metro Rail public art photographs
Identifier/Call Number: 22-DPGTL
Physical Description:
0.834 linear feet,
2 boxes
Date (inclusive): 1991-2001
Date (bulk): 1993-1996
Abstract: This collection holds photographs of public art pieces at Metro Rail Blue, Red, Purple and Green Line stations. The photographs
were taken by Metro Art Department employees, primarily during the 1990s.
Open for research. Advance notice required for access. Contact LACMTA Research Library and Archive to make an appointment.
Terms Governing Use and Reproduction
For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the LACMTA Research Library and Archive. Permission for reproduction
or publication is given on behalf of the LACMTA Research Library and Archive as the owner of the physical items. The researcher
assumes all responsibility for possible infringement that may arise from reproduction or publication of materials from the
LACMTA Research Library and Archive collections.
[Identification of item], Metro Art Department Collection of Metro Rail Public Art Photographs, 22-DPGTL. Los Angeles County
Metropolitan Transportation Authority Research Library and Archive.
LACMTA's Art Department was created in 1989 under the predecessor agency, Southern California Rapid Transit District (SCRTD).
Working to incorporate public art in transportation projects, the department was involved in the design of stations along
the heavy and light rail transit lines, dedicating 0.05% of rail construction costs specifically to art.
Artists were selected for these projects to create public art pieces that reflected the communities to be served by the rail
lines by a process of peer review. Artwork was an integral part of the design and structure of each station. Current information
about the department and public art at Metro can be found at https://www.metro.net/about/art/.
163 8x10" color and black and white photographic prints and two documents related to public art at Metro rail stations. Well-known
artists with work represented in the collection include Frank Romero and Gilbert "Magu" Luján (members of Chicano art collective
Los Four), Robert Gil de Montes, Joyce Kozloff, East Los Streetscapers and Stephen Antonakos.
Processed by Denise Villegas, August 2012. Additional processing by Noah Geraci, July 2016.
The collection was transferred from the LACMTA Art Department to the archives at an unknown date.
Photographs were found in plastic sheets within a plastic, three-ring binder and were re-housed with original order retained.
The collection is organized into three series:
- Blue Line, circa 1991-1999
- Red and Purple Lines, circa 1991-2000
- Green Line, circa 1995
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Public art -- California -- Los Angeles County
Local transit -- California -- Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
MTA Metro Art
Los Angeles County Transportation Commission
Southern California Rapid Transit District