Makeshift Memorial

(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Found this impromptu shrine at the fork at 4th St. & 4th Pl. on the 4th St. Bridge. No name. No photos. Just plastic flowers, candles, photos of Jesus Christ, a cracked coconut in a pile of uncooked rice and, for some reason, fireworks.


(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony


(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Leaflets

(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Whenever a location shoot is scheduled in a public space, the private, non-profit organization Film L.A., Inc. places these labels on or near the areas affected. Film L.A. Inc. coordinates and processes filming permits for on-location motion picture, television and commercial production in the Los Angeles region.

And sometimes our neighborhood is so covered with these things it looks like a military aircraft dropped propaganda leaflets. As mentioned before, this area is used for the production of thousands film and TV productions. (See Grey's Anatomy and CSI:NY)

Though at times these ubiquitous notices resemble litter, they do serve an important purpose to local residents. Without them, the late night explosions, flood lights and car chases would seem a bit odd.

Amy

(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Amy is bartender at The Royal Clayton's. She is also an aspiring actress. She came over for some headshots and I asked for a few shots in the stairwell of our building. There was something intriguing about the combination of the green dress, hazel eyes, black hair, bricks and the chartreuse door.

Oh, and the motorcycle boots.


(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony


(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Credits
Hair/Makeup: Pamela Bjorkland

Underneath the Bridge

Fourth St. overpass over Santa Fe St. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

The writing on the wall

(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Often, I feel like an archeologist in this neighborhood. And the hieroglyphs around here are graffiti. But sometimes the message is loud and clear. This evening, I saw this exchange at Santa Fe and 7th St. I know there is an etiquette in this culture—and disrespect like this is not taken well.

I myself am not fluent in this language. But I do know that some of this work is incredibly beautiful (as I wrote about here), and like all street art, accessible. There are no formal opening nights or wine served in plastic cups. It just appears overnight. Like the rain here in Southern California, you wake up and it's done. And people like me are left to brush away the dust and try and decipher what it all means from afar, after the fact.

But this message is unmistakable. And I look forward to the next chapter.


(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

UPDATE: I've been informed the original piece was done by Revok.