Finding aid for the Metro Art Department Collection of Metro Rail Public Art Photographs
Finding aid prepared by Denise Villegas, 2012; revised by Noah Geraci, 2016.
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Library and Archives
© 2016
One Gateway Plaza
Mail Stop: 99-15-1
Los Angeles, CA 90012
library@metro.net
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.
Physical Location: LACMTA Research Library and Archive
Conditions Governing Access
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.
Preferred Citation
[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.
Biographical / Historical
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/.
Scope and Contents
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.
Processing Information
Processed by Denise Villegas, August 2012. Additional processing by Noah Geraci, July 2016.
Acquisition Information
The collection was transferred from the LACMTA Art Department to the archives at an unknown date.
Arrangement
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
Series 1
Blue Line
circa 1991-1999
box 1, folder 1
A-R-T Installations on the Metro Blue Line
1994 September
Scope and Contents
Color photocopied report on Blue Line public art including images and descriptions of pieces.
box 1, folder 2
7th St./Metro Center
circa 1991-1993
Scope and Contents
11 8x10" prints (nine color, two black and white) of public art at 7th St./Metro Center Station. Works represented are Thomas
Eatherton's
Unity (1991), Roberto Gil de Montes's
Heaven to Earth (1993), Joyce Kozloff's
The Movies: Fantasies and Spectacles (1993). Photos by Tom Bonner and William Nettles.
box 1, folder 3
Pico
circa 1993
Scope and Contents
Four 8x10" prints (two color, two black and white) of Robin Brailsford's
Time and Presence (1993) at the Pico Metro Rail Station, taken by Tom Bonner.
box 1, folder 4
San Pedro
circa 1993
Scope and Contents
Four 8x10" color prints of Sandra Rowe's
Hope, Dreams, Path, Focus, Belief (1993) at San Pedro Blue Line Station, taken by Tom Bonner.
box 1, folder 5
Slauson
circa 1995
Scope and Contents
Five 8x10" prints (four color, one black and white) of East Los Streetscapers'
South Central Suite at Slauson Blue Line Station, taken by Tom Bonner.
box 1, folder 6
103rd Street
circa 1994
Scope and Contents
Three 8x10" prints (one color, two black and white) of Roberto Salas's
Blue Line Totems in Red (1994) at 103rd Street Blue Line Station, taken by Tom Bonner.
box 1, folder 7
Compton
circa 1995
Scope and Contents
Three 8x10" prints (one color, two black and white) of Eva Cockcroft's
Past Present & Future (1995) at Compton Blue Line Station, taken by Jim McHugh.
box 1, folder 8
Artesia
circa 1996
Scope and Contents
Two 8x10" color prints of Lynn Aldrich's
Blue Line Oasis (1996) at Artesia Blue Line Station, taken by Tom Bonner.
box 1, folder 9
Del Amo
circa 1999
Scope and Contents
One 8x10" color print of Colin Gray's
Del Amo Wheel (1999) at Del Amo Blue Line Station, taken by Tom Bonner.
box 1, folder 10
Wardlow
circa 1992
Scope and Contents
Two 8x10" color prints of Jacqueline Dreager's
Great Gathering Place (1992) at Wardlow Blue Line Station, taken by Tom Bonner.
box 1, folder 11
Pacific Coast Highway
circa 1994
Scope and Contents
Three 8x10" prints (one color, two black and white) of Joe Lewis's
Twelve Principles (1994) at Pacific Coast Highway Blue Line Station, taken by Jim McHugh.
box 1, folder 12
Anaheim Street
circa 1994
Scope and Contents
Four 8x10" prints (three color, one black and white) of Terry Braunstein's
Local Odysseys (1994) at Anaheim Street Blue Line Station, taken by Jim McHugh.
box 1, folder 13
5th Street
circa 1995
Scope and Contents
Four 8x10" prints (three color, one black and white) of Jim Isermann's
Failed ideals (1995) at Fifth Street Blue Line Station, taken by Jim McHugh.
box 1, folder 14
Pacific
circa 1995
Scope and Contents
Three 8x10" prints (two color, one black and white) of June Edmonds'
We Known Who We Are (1995) at Pacific Blue Line Station, taken by Jim McHugh.
box 1, folder 15
1st Street
circa 1995
Scope and Contents
Three 8x10" prints (two color, one black and white) of Paul Taznetopoulos's
Breezy and Delightful (1994) at First Street Blue Line Station, taken by Jim McHugh.
box 1, folder 16
Long Beach Transit Mall
circa 1995
Scope and Contents
Three 8x10" prints (two color, one black and white) of Patrick Mohr's
Angel Train (1995) at Long Beach Transit Mall Blue Line Station, taken by Jim McHugh.
Series 2
Red and Purple Lines
circa 1991-2000
box 1, folder 17
Photo Print Reference List - Red Line
circa 2000
Scope and Contents
Three-page typed reference list of art piece titles, artists and dates for public art at Red Line stations, including Gateway
Transit Center and Union Station.
box 1, folder 18
Gateway Transit Center
circa 1998
Scope and Contents
24 8x10" color prints of public art at Gateway Transit Center, including Patsaouras Plaza and MTA headquarters. Art includes
works by Michael Amescua, K. Yasuda, T, Johnson, N. Korten, M. Vanderborgh, East Los Streetscapers, Roberto Gil de Montes,
Elsa Flores, Peter Shire, James Doolin, Richard Wyatt, May Sun, and Bill Bell. Photographs by Tom Bonner.
box 1, folder 19
Union Station
circa 1993
Scope and Contents
Eight 8x10" color prints of public art at Union Station. Works represented are Terry Schoonhoven's
Traveler (1993), Cynthia Carlson's
LA: City of Angeles (undated), and Christopher Sproat's
Union Chairs (1993). Photographs by Tom Bonner, Mary Hamilton, and Kenna Love.
box 1, folder 20
Pershing Square
circa 1991-1993
Scope and Contents
Three 8x10" color prints of Stephen Antonakos's
Neons for Pershing Square (1991-1993) at Pershing Square Metro Rail Station. Photos by Mary Hamilton and Tom Bonner.
box 1, folder 21
Civic Center
circa 1993
Scope and Contents
Two 8x10" color prints of Jonathan Borofsky's
I Dreamed I Could Fly at Civic Center Metro Rail Station, taken by Tom Bonner.
box 1, folder 22
Westlake/MacArthur Park
circa 1993
Scope and Contents
Four 8x10" prints (three color, one black and white) of Therman Statom's
Into the Light (1993) and Francisco Letelier's
El Sol, La Luna (1993), at Westlake/MacArthur Park Metro Rail Station. Photos by William Nettles and Mary Hamilton.
box 1, folder 23
Wilshire/Vermont
circa 1996
Scope and Contents
One 8x10" color print of Peter Shire's
Los Angeles Seen (1996) at Wilshire/Vermont Metro Rail Station, taken by Tom Bonner.
box 1, folder 24
Wilshire/Normandie
circa 1996-2000
Scope and Contents
Seven 8x10" color prints of Frank Romero's
Festival of Masks Parade (1996) and Eileen Cowin's
I see what you're saying (train of thought) (2000) at Wilshire/Normandie Purple Line Station. Photos by Tom Bonner.
box 1, folder 25
Wilshire/Western
circa 1996
Scope and Contents
Four 8x10" prints (three color, one black and white) of Richard Wyatt's
People Coming, People Going (1996) at Wilshire/Western Purple Line Station. Photos by Tom Bonner.
box 1, folder 26
Vermont/Beverly
circa 1999
Scope and Contents
Six 8x10" color prints of the 1999 work of George Stone (artist) and Anil Verma Associates Inc. (architects) at Vermont/Beverly
Red Line Station. Photos by Tom Bonner.
box 1, folder 27
Vermont/Santa Monica
circa 1999
Scope and Contents
Five 8x10" color prints of the 1999 work of Robert Millar (artist) and Ellerbe-Becket, Inc. (architects) at Vermont/Santa
Monica Red Line Station. Photos by Tom Bonner.
box 1, folder 28
Vermont/Sunset
circa 1999
Scope and Contents
One 8x10" color print of the 1999 work of Michael Davis (artist) and Diedrich/NBA (architects) at Vermont/Sunset Red Line
Station. Photo by Tom Bonner.
box 1, folder 29
Hollywood/Western
circa 1999
Scope and Contents
Two 8x10" color prints of the 1999 work of May Sun (artist) and Escudero-Fribourg (architects) at Hollywood/Western Red Line
Station. Photo by Tom Bonner.
box 1, folder 30
Hollywood/Vine
circa 1999
Scope and Contents
Six 8x10" color prints of the 1999 work of Gibert Luján (artist) and Miralles Associates, Inc. (architects) at Hollywood/Vine
Red Line Station. Photos by Tom Bonner.
box 2, folder 1
Hollywood/Highland
circa 2000
Scope and Contents
Three 8x10" color prints of the 2000 work of Sheila Klein (artist) and Dworsky Associates (architect) at Hollywood/Highland
Red Line Station. Photos by Tom Bonner.
box 2, folder 2
Universal City
circa 2000
Scope and Contents
Four 8x10" color prints of the 2000 work of Margaret Garcia (artist) and Siegel Diamond (architect) at Universal City Red
Line Station. Photos by Tom Bonner.
box 2, folder 3
North Hollywood
circa 2000
Scope and Contents
Two 8x10" color prints of the work of Anne Marie Karlsen and James Doolin (artists) and The Tanzmann Associates (architects)
at the North Hollywood Red Line Station. Photos by Tom Bonner.
Series 3
Green Line
circa 1995
box 2, folder 4
Redondo Beach
circa 1995
Scope and Contents
Two 8x10" prints (one color, one black and white) of Carl Cheng's
Museum for Space Information (1995) at the Marine/Redondo Green Line Station.
box 2, folder 5
Douglas
circa 1995
Scope and Contents
Six 8x10" prints (four color, two black and white) of Reneé Petropoulos's
Untitled (1995) at the Douglas/Rosecrans Green Line Station. Photos by Tom Bonner.
box 2, folder 6
El Segundo
circa 1995
Scope and Contents
Five 8x10" prints (three color, two black and white) of Daniel Martinez's
For Your Intellectual Entertainment (1995) at the El Segundo/Nash Green Line Station. Photos by Tom Bonner.
box 2, folder 7
Aviation
circa 1995
Scope and Contents
Five 8x10" prints (four color, one black and white) of Richard Turner's
Untitled (1995) at Aviation Green Line Station. Photo by Tom Bonner.
box 2, folder 8
Crenshaw
circa 1995
Scope and Contents
Two 8x10" color prints of
Crenshaw Stories (1995) by Buzz Spector (artist) and Caltrans (architects) at the Crenshaw/I-105 Green Line Station. Photos by Alex Slade.
box 2, folder 9
Harbor Freeway
circa 1995
Scope and Contents
Three 8x10" color prints of
Locus City Imprints (1995) by Steve Appleton (artist) and Caltrans (architects) at Harbor Freeway/I-105 Green Lstation. Photos by Tom Bonner.
box 2, folder 10
Avalon
circa 1995
Scope and Contents
Three 8x10" color prints artworks at at Avalon/I-105 Green Line Station. Works represented are
Pyramid (1995) by John Outterbridge (artist) and Caltrans (architects),
Bridge of Culture (1995) by Stanley Wilson (artist) and Caltrans (architects), and
Portrait of my People #619 (1995) by Willie Middlebrook. Photos by Tom Bonner.
box 2, folder 11
Imperial/Wilmington/Rosa Parks
circa 1995
Scope and Contents
One 8x10" black and white print of Joe Sam's
Hide-n-Seek (1995) at the Imperial/Wilmington Green Line Station. Photo by Tom Bonner.
box 2, folder 12
Lakewood
circa 1995
Scope and Contents
One 8x10" color print of
Wall of UnFame (1995) by Erika Rothenberg (artist) and Caltrans (architects) at the Lakewood/I-105 Green Line Station. Photo by Tom Bonner.
box 2, folder 13
Norwalk (I-605/I-105)
circa 1995
Scope and Contents
Three 8x10" prints of
Suka: Place of the Bees (1995) by Meg Cranston (artist) and Caltrans (architects) at the I-605/I-105 Green Line Station.