Art panel above seating area picturing James Achucarro, a boy from the neighborhood, and Soon Cho, owner of Cho Orchids. The reverse side of the panel shows the back and front of their respective heads.
The Intimacy of Place features a sea of faces representing a broad cultural mix of individuals who live and work in the 23rd Street station area. Taking advantage of the double-sided art panel configuration, Dierdorff populated the station with intimate portraits of fronts and backs of heads. His intent is to comment on the nature of public transportation, where people from many walks of life find themselves in close physical proximity with strangers.
The artwork portrays twelve individuals who were photographed in locations that describe their role within the larger community. A variety of professions are represented, including a hat maker, baker,firefighter and mechanic, among others.
Here’s a link to more information about Dierdorff’s work for 23rd Street Station and more photos are after the jump.
Fabricators at Winsor Fireform prepare the surface within the steel frames to receive the porcelain enamel artwork
Completed art panel at fabrication firm Winsor Fireform, featuring local baker Jimmy Washington; the artwork designs were translated from digital photography into porcelain enamel at fabrication firm KVO Industries, then transferred to a different fabricator, Winsor Fireform, where they were installed within painted steel frames.
Artwork depicting Leticia Lopez at Paula Shoes and Zhenying Xiao at LA Trade Tech College
Guillermo Corona at LA Sands Boxing Gym and Ruben Castillo at Castillo Tire
Art panel is lifted by a crane and installed in its new home on the station platform
Christofer Dierdorff posing underneath his artwork as it’s being installed
Artwork ready to be enjoyed by transit riders
Other Art for the Expo Line stories on the Source:
- Ephemeral Views by Ronald Llanos
- On Saturdays by Robbert Flick
- Neighborhood Reconstructed by Jessica Polzin McCoy
- Willie Middlebrook’s Designs for Expo/Crenshaw Station
Categories: Metro Art
That is pretty cool. Real People!! Thank you Metro
Ridden NYC Metro, Metro North, BART, Boston’s system & Chicago’s elevated trains, none of them had this form or artwork at the time. Very vibrant, nice tie-in to the community. Well done Mr. Dierdorff.
unique……..tasteful……complimentary