Glendale Blvd: Saint Teresa of Avila Church

Just before Glendale Blvd. goes under the 2 Freeway, you pass this unassuming but gorgeous church, Saint Teresa of Avila.

I think this little church, built in 1929, as well as houses like the Gaudi-inspired house I wrote about yesterday, show that Silver Lake used look like a magical little village with fantastic little cottages, churches and stores. It's no wonder that Walt Disney set up his first studio not far from here on Hyperion, the city must have looked like something out of a fairytale



For those non-Catholics, such as myself, St. Teresa of Avila was a Spanish nun who lived between 1515 and 1582, just as America was being explored by Europeans and the Lutheran reformation was storming across Europe. She is remembered for her writings and teachings on prayer and for founding the Discalced Carmelites, a religious order focused on a simple life devoted to prayer.

I like this picture of St. Teresa painted by François Gérard in 1827. She has a look of desire in her eyes.





Next to the church was this garden, with a sculpture of Juan Diego showing his cloak with the image of the Virgin on it to the Spanish bishop, Fray Juan de Zumárraga.







At some point the sculpture must have fallen forward and broken the hands.



I thought this colorful mosaic inside the cloak was an interesting touch.



The parish has a school associated with it that is located across the street. The school, opened in 1949, is of course a Catholic school and serves grades K-8.



The church is absolutely gorgeous inside. I couldn't take great photos of it, but here are some details as well as a video that I think gives you some idea.

The church nave is open everyday, and you are free to visit it yourself if you wish.







Not even the Catholic church was immune from swine flu. This photo was taken on 5/2/09.




View The Sights The Sounds in a larger map

Imperial Highway: Lynwood High School Fences

On the medians across the street from Lynwood High School, there are these series of fences depicting school-related themes.

I suppose the city erected the fence to beautify the street (and perhaps to prevent kids from jay walking). The students have responded by taking it upon themselves to beautify the fence. It's just a little public discourse between the citizens and the government.



I'd like to applaud the use of grids throughout the fence. I love a good grid sculpture. ANY piece of art can be improved by adding grids. For example, have a bad tattoo? Throw a grid behind it and it's awesome.

And just because it's a grid and has holes, that shouldn't prevent you from spray painting.





Like so much public art, there is an image of the Earth included at some point. See the mural at Los Angeles Southwest college in my post Signs of Inglewood for another example.





I love the picture in picture effect here, with the fence quoting other art from a variety of continents, very democratic:
• A bust of Nefertiti (Africa)
• A man from a Greek vase (Europe)
• An Olmec head (North America)

And again, they improved upon the original by using the grid. I love it.



What does the Vitruvian Man need? A fucking grid, that's what.











Across the street from the fence, this flyer was hung on a telephone pole. I'm kind of into flyers of nobodies promoting themselves. See my post, Signs of Inglewood with Young, Black, & Brilliant for another example.

This is Flakiss, a hip hop artist with a song called, It's Friday Night. Watch the video here, and to give you a taste, below are the actual opening lyrics.

It’s Friday night. We’re headed to the club. My girls are by my side.

Let’s Party!

It’s Friday night. I’m feeling alright. I’m ready to get drunk.

Let’s do it!

I smell Grammy!



If you want more of Flakiss (and who doesn't) you can check out her label Rize High Records and her mySpace page.


View Imperial Highway in a larger map

Imperial Highway: Signs of Inglewood

Continuing down Imperial Highway, I came to Inglewood.
Not quite as nice as El Segundo.
Not quite as scary as Watts.

I just liked the place because they had sheet metal tacos at Baja Rosarito.

It's like the Olympic icon for chainsaw sports.

Above mural found at:

A unix sex model for a unix sex hair salon.

For those looking for a salon that can provide them with Caché.

Young Black & Brilliant (& Modest?), it's a movement baby.

Check out their mySpace page.

Not to be confused with a Canadian student's blog that uses that same name.

YB the Maker seems to be the driving force behind this group. Here's a picture of him from his mySpace page performing at his sister's 16th birthday party. Everyone's got to get started somewhere.

Mural from Los Angeles Southwest College (go Cougars!)

Typical LA public art. Stylized figures with beams of radiance and someone is holding the Earth. This imagery appears again and again and again.

Los Angeles Southwest College was established in 1967, two years after the Watts riots, as a response to the complaint that not enough was being done to educate the community (according to Wikipedia).

I saw this flyer for Arron "The Energizer" Robinson's boxing match at LA Southwest College and all up and down Imperial Highway. While I think two guys punching each other in the face is stupid in principle, I have to admit that going to a local boxing match in Inglewood sounds cool.

For all the flyers on the street, the only thing I could find online about this event was on the LASC website's calender.

View Imperial Highway in a larger map