blogdowntown
Not currently logged in. [Login or Create an Account]

Stay Connected



 

Around the Art Walk: Rule Changes Produce Exploration During August Art Walk

By Eric Richardson
Published: Thursday, August 11, 2011, at 06:36PM
August Downtown Art Walk Eric Richardson / blogdowntown

Puppeteer Eli Presser entertains outside the Crossfit Mean Streets gym on Main Street.



DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — New rules put in place by the city's Art Walk task force pushed food trucks and vendors out of the area between Spring, Main, 3rd and 7th, leaving the August edition of Downtown's largest monthly event with a sense of exploration as attendees navigated unfamiliar blocks in search of their favorites.

That's a success in the eyes of Councilman Jose Huizar, who helped push the changes after the July accident that left an infant dead when a car crashed into a crowded sidewalk. Huizar took a stroll around the Art Walk on Thursday evening, and was pleased to see sidewalks that were calmer and more passable than they have been in recent months.

That's not to say the night was entirely without incident. Around 5pm, dozens of vendors were lined up to check in at ARTsquare's planned location at 340 S. Spring when city inspectors showed up to say that the event lacked the permits needed to operate in the parking lot. It's unclear where those vendors ended up.

Puppeteer Eli Presser was among the street performers caught up in the crackdown on unpermitted uses. The Cal Arts grad has been visiting Art Walk for the last eight months, and was performing his marionette show on Spring Street north of 5th when an LAPD officer came up and asked him to move along.

Presser found a new stage outside the Crossfit Mean Streets gym on Main Street, north of 3rd. The normally desserted block was busy with Art Walkers headed to the parking trucks outside Vibiana.

"I had heard that the food trucks were going to be held off the street and no street vendors, but I was kind of curious whether street performers were fine," he said between shows."

"This is cool. It's a good spot, actually."

The juxtaposition between his delicate performance and the power workouts going on behind him was not lost on Presser. "It's kind of a trip," he said. "It's cool."

Huizar said that he would love to have been able to allow some performers to stay on the sidewalks inside the core boundaries, but that it was more important to ensure that everyone was playing by the same rules. He made a point of working with LAPD to ensure that officers were instructed to warn violators and gently give them the new rules instead of issuing citations.

While the August rules may not be exactly those used for future events, it appears for now that those tactics hit just the right note.

I took all of my stills from last night—the few I used above and the many more that aren't worthwhile as pictures—and put them into a 45 second video tour of the August Art Walk.

» Live Updates — Last: August 11, 2011

  • 11:19PM LAPD appears to have busted a danger dog vendor at 7th/Spring who left the carts. Passersby just thought the cops were cooking. (ERIC)
  • 11:14PM Apparently the income tax place in SB Main turns into a party at the end of Art Walk. (ERIC)
  • 11:06PM At least 100 people in line to get into the Down and Out at 11pm. Not sure what to make of that. (ERIC)
  • 10:46PM Updated photos from tonight's Art Walk. Headed back out to see how the later part of the night shapes up :: (ERIC)
  • 09:47PM Stopping by home to rest my legs for a few and upload some photos. (ERIC)
  • 09:13PM Just had a chat with puppeteer Eli Presser outside Crossfit Mean Streets gym. Cool juxtaposition (ERIC)
  • 09:03PM This is sort of the explorers' version of Art Walk. People walking around all the side streets, mostly looking for their trucks (ERIC)
  • 08:55PM Not particularly crowded at Grand Central Market, but still folks getting food as the venue wraps up its extended Art Walk hours. (ERIC)
  • 08:45PM Just got a race review of the food trick lot up at Vibiana. Headed up that way to check it out. (ERIC)
  • 08:45PM Just got a rave review of the food trick lot up at Vibiana. Headed up that way to check it out. (ERIC)
  • 08:27PM LAPD just told the Little Big Rubber Band Band to move along outside 524 S. Spring (ERIC)
  • 08:26PM The band was headed into the LATC. (ERIC)
  • 08:25PM 5th and Spring is quickly turning impassable. Following a band down the street. (ERIC)
  • 08:06PM Live operatic music in the Medallion courtyard. Crowd hanging out on the steps listening. The woman singing is good. (ERIC)
  • 07:37PM More of an old-school Art Walk scene on Los Angeles between 7th and 8th. Fashion and art. (ERIC)
  • 07:09PM Art Walk sidewalk expansion: no tables outside Syrup Desserts. Inside dining only. (ERIC)
  • 06:48PM Live #dtla Art Walk updates throughout the evening on twitter and at (ERIC)
  • 06:48PM Watching the food truck tweets, it looks like the main action is at 232 S. Main and 710 S. Spring, as well as 8th and Spring (ERIC)
  • 06:48PM Pamela spots LAPD on horseback patrolling the Art Walk -- (ERIC)

SHARE:

||

Related Stories:


Conversation

User_32

linda cielo on August 11, 2011, at 07:31PM – #1

Shame on whomever plastered Main Street's lamp posts with those tacky Art Walk posters. Text to a number and win a Big Man Bakes cupcake/ Pete's Cafe or a t-shirt? WSS is one of the sponsors of these yellow and black eyesores. Really Gilmore, is this your idea for Art Walk now,to put more money in your pocket? It's so totally ghetto. Thanks for trashing the neighborhood.


User_32

derblut on August 11, 2011, at 09:35PM – #2

Art Walk is dead. Cliche, uneventful, ordinary, and NO ART.

I'm not even sure what the appeal is anymore? Temporarily escape the boredom of the suburbs perhaps? If it's all about bar hopping, fine. I get that. but let's stop pretending it has anything to do with art anymore. What's sad is that it used to be a really interesting event that I was proud to bring my friends to, now not so much.

Does everyone feel the same way or is it just me?


Maxx Gillman on August 11, 2011, at 10:17PM – #3

Back when I first moved downtown, there were 29 days a month my friends were scared to come downtown and 1 day a month they loved it.

Now there's 29 days a month I love them to come downtown and 1 day a month it gets too stupid.

This a welcome change. Artwalk can grow and become whatever it does. And the rest of the month is worth it.


User_32

misslapin on August 12, 2011, at 09:10AM – #4

Just wondering why Pershing Square itself isn't used for vendors/food during "Art Walk"?


User_32

bigphatcatlover on August 12, 2011, at 11:56AM – #5

Living on Spring Street, in the middle of all the "Art Walk" action, it was a relief to know that changes were coming to the troubled monthly event.

"My View From a Loft" revealed some improvement with the moving of temporary vendors and trucks to the perimeters of the historic core. And I think that's a great thing! It may result in some growing pains, but it's a really good way to grow the event in a positive way.

On the down side: (1) I had hoped that the streets wouldn't be as congested, but it took 30 minutes for my partner to drive from Temple to 7th (coming home from work in Burbank) at 7PM because of the gridlock, jaywalkers, etc., etc. Imagine how hard it would be if shortsighted suggestions about closing the streets actually happened! (2) Though there were the usual loud & obnoxious partiers who either don't know or don't care that this is essentially a residential neighborhood, it was actually QUIET at midnight when I went to bed. Yeah! My peaceful sleep was interrupted, however, when some sort of ruckus ensued sometime between 12:30 and 1:00AM, resulting in the LAPD using bull horns, sirens, etc., to remove the offending party-crashers. Maybe they don't have to worry about the morning after, but many of us who live here do. My alarm is set for 8AM every day and if I'm to continue living and working here, I need to be able to do so without thugs and vandals losing their minds on the streets of my neighborhood all night long.

I wish this monthly affair was about art, but I've long since accepted that it's about a lot of people who need or want an excuse to get drunk and stupid. Fine. But if that's what it is, these changes (and more) are the consequences. Those of us who live and work here - and dare I say it: create art here, embrace a vibrant affair, but only when those attending can respect and have consideration for those hosting it. Us.

I've lived and worked in DTLA for more than seven years and have seen lots of positive change. The changes to Art Walk are a progression of those positive changes. Let's move it even further, shall we? Take over Pershing Square, as one commenter suggested. Open it up from 1st through 9th Streets. Absolutely incorporate Broadway, after all, we're trying to "Bring Back Broadway" aren't we? Perhaps we should set up a fund for donations (especially those attending) to keep the event safe and clean. If people get out of hand or cause problems, fine them and add it to the fund. ELIMINATE alcohol. Yeah, yeah, I know that's why many come to DTLA, but let's get real - that's where the trouble always starts. REMOVE anything from the sidewalks that causes congestion. It's difficult, on a non art walk day, to walk two abreast on these really stupid narrow sidewalks, so anything to keep them open and moving will help.

My apologies for going on and on about this. But after reading post after post from people who don't seem to have a clue, I just wanted to let those who don't have to deal with the aftermath in on the reality of a monthly party in our backyard. Thanks for listening. I'll shut up and go back to my cats now.


Chris Loos on August 12, 2011, at 11:57AM – #6

misslapin- that's a great idea! Pershing Square is in desperate need of programming. And its only 2 blocks from the Artwalk crowd on Spring. Seems like there could be some synergy here.


William Crandell on August 12, 2011, at 01:21PM – #7

Pershing Square: tear down the buildings, tear down the purple thing sticking up in the air, tear out the sidewalks and the walls. Keep the lake and the waterfall and turn it into a community garden! Forget Pershing. Rename it Farmer's Square.

In another vein: the pershing square design competition that was staged in 1986: that entry that featured only a gigantic ferris wheel and nothing more: nowadays, that would fit perfectly - and in more ways than one: you step in, go up and down and round and round, and then you step off. Meanwhile... let's not forget the unforgettable selection of one entry featuring a 600 foot long elevated freeway down the center of the square, it's selection as a finalist by the hoity toit jury from west of LaBrea. UNFORGETTABLE.


User_32

on August 12, 2011, at 03:04PM – #8

@Linda Cielo - I have a correction to inform you of regarding your post. Our team put together the "TEXT TO WIN" campaign that Tom Gilmore DONATED the Pete's Cafe Gift Cards to. Tom LOST money on that donation. The hundreds of people that entered the context & the 5 winners don't share your opinion of the posters, they liked them.

Have a great weekend!


User_32

Downtown Cowboy on August 12, 2011, at 03:27PM – #9

I LOVE the idea of incorporating Pershing Square. Move the food action there!


User_32

Downtowncommuter on August 13, 2011, at 06:48AM – #10

Yeah, Pershing Square and food trucks would be perfect together, because who doesn't enjoy eating roach coach food in the middle of a park reeking of piss?


User_32

David Klappholz on August 14, 2011, at 01:27PM – #11

A few things:

  1. I think that almost everyone has realized, for a good long while, that Art Walk is a social event that has something to do with art for some attendees, and nothing to do with art for others. For the multitudes who attend, it's great fun, and for the local businesses it must be a great boon.

  2. I agree that including Pershing Square -- or Farmers Square, or Art Walk Square -- to the venue would be great.

  3. As far as I can tell, the small changes instituted this month had no effect on attendance or on the fun-level of the event. If anything, the extension of the venue to Broadway, and further along Spring, made the event even better...and the fact that Grand Central Market stayed open late -- started in July -- was also a good thing.

  4. I'm very happy and can't wait to spend more fun evenings at Art Walk...or whatever its name might be changed to.


Josef Bray-Ali on August 14, 2011, at 07:13PM – #12

I am shocked that the City did not act more forcefully to close off portions of the streets to automobiles during the Art Walk. The sidewalks have been over-crowded for years now - but it wasn't until car drivers started executing citizens out for an evening that "something got done". That something is a big middle finger at those taking a chance on downtown LA as the destination for their dollars and their time.


William Crandell on August 14, 2011, at 10:51PM – #13

@DowntownCommuter -

"Yeah, Pershing Square and food trucks would be perfect together, because who doesn't enjoy eating roach coach food in the middle of a park reeking of piss?"

You forgot the pooch grunt. Can't forget the pooch grunt. Not now. Not ever.


User_32

Accessory Loft on August 14, 2011, at 11:47PM – #14

The one 'change' I noticed was more underage Pokemones kids (the little altinos w/Pokemon hair) drinking on the streets, but leaving a bigger footprint. They were everywhere - Broadway, Spring, etc. They were all drunk, standing in the middle of congested streets, acting like fools. Then came the drunk underage USC kids that just rolled back into town, and I swear, there were about 3 high school kids per adult at 11:00 p.m. I think the city needs to set a curfew for anyone under 18 and ENFORCE it. There were so many kids blatantly drinking on the streets, it was sad.


User_32

on August 16, 2011, at 01:39PM – #15

Public toilets. We need lots of public toilets for the 30K plus people who come to Artwalk.



Add Your Voice

In an effort to prevent spam, blogdowntown commenting requires that Javascript be enabled. Please check your browser settings and try again.

 

Search:


Story Location:

Loading... Please wait.




On Twitter

New Comments


Recommendations



blogdowntown Photo Pool

Photos of Downtown contributed by readers like you.

Downtown Blogs


Downtown Sites


Elsewhere