SOUTH PARK Continues to Inspire Public Art

The South Park Business Improvement District (BID), in partnership with NOW Art LA and Packard Lofts, is pleased to announce the completion of the latest mural in the district, located on the south-facing wall of the historic building on Hope St and Olympic Blvd. Produced by artist Alby, Guillaume, also known as "Remed," the mural is part of the BID's broader Public Art Strategic Plan, launched in 2014.

This piece builds on the momentum of public art and green space that the Hope Street Parklet spurred when it opened in January of 2016. Remed's piece brings the total murals up to eleven in South Park, making the district in downtown Los Angeles a unique destination for public art admirers. The murals, along with several other art projects and programming, aim to curate an inclusive and representative cultural narrative of the South Park neighborhood.

"The BID is constantly looking for ways to reflect our community in the space we inhabit," South Park BID Executive Director, Jessica Lall said. "In order to do that authentically, these projects have to come from the community members themselves. The entire process of making this mural happen - from identifying the artist to choosing a location, to contributing to the conceptualization of the piece - was a community effort."

Before creating the initial sketches, Remed met with residents and property owners to learn how South Park identifies as a community, what it values, and how it maintains these values and identity through the current, rapid evolution of its skyline. Through these conversations, Remed was inspired to create a piece that "looks to the past to develop on what we have learned."

"Reflecting our community through art and making it available to people who live, work, and visit South Park, has an incredibly unifying effect," says Joseph Emrani, co-owner of Packard Lofts and many other buildings in the Downtown area. "Public art does more than just provide a pleasant experience for the viewer - it increases foot traffic, which is better for local businesses and ultimately, better for the South Park community."

Moreover, the aesthetic improvement is undeniable. What was once a massive, blank wall against the vast city skyline is now a colorful and inspiring piece of art. "The mural is visible from our offices in The Desmond, and it contributes to the healthy and vibrant work environment that we strive to create for our employees," said Ted Tanner, Executive Vice President of Real Estate at AEG.

Murals are just one facet of the BID's multi-pronged approach to bringing art to the community. In the two years since the BID and its partners launched the Public Art Strategic Plan, they have produced graffiti deterrent construction fence art, utility box artwork, public art classes taught by local artists, and more. The comprehensive strategy was recognized at the global level as the recipient of the International Downtown Association's Pinnacle award for Events and Programming, the highest award given by the organization.

For more information, please visit: www.southpark.la

About:
The South Park Business Improvement District (BID) is managed by the South Park Stakeholders Group, a coalition of residents, property owners, and business who are deeply committed to the ongoing improvement of the district. Since 2005, the South Park BID has worked to make South Park safer, cleaner and more vibrant for the people who live, work and visit South Park.