The main drag in Historic Filipinotown is getting 54 new streetlights, but they aren't just going to be any old streetlights. Los Angeles (the Board of Public Works, Bureau of Street Lighting, and Department of Transportation, plus area Councilmember Mitch O' Farrell) is working on incorporating some public art into the design of the lights and has three finalists in the contest to design the adornments for the new additions to Temple Street, says a release for the project.
Contestants were asked to produce designs that reflected "the themes kapayapaan meaning harmony, kapwa meaning humanity, and lakbay meaning mobility." All three artists selected—Celina Duffy, Roel Punzalan, and Roberto San Luis—are based in LA and have Filipino roots.
A website with short artist statements and images of the proposed art pieces has been set up so the public can vote on which design they like best. The artist whose design is ultimately chosen will not only have their art decorating the new lights, but will also receive $1,000 from O'Farrell's office.
Historic Filipinotown was officially designated in 2002, in honor of the neighborhood's history as one of just a few areas where Filipinos first made their homes and created a community in LA in the early 20th century.
- Project HiFi Highlight [Official site]