The Los Angeles River Series

The Los Angeles River is a concreted arroyo running over 50 miles to the Pacific Ocean—a 'cultural tributary' feeding off a multitude of distinct neighborhoods. I first wandered into it in the early 1990s during my first time in LA, and I have encountered it randomly across different years and locations since. The river always possessed a commanding presence, imposing itself heavily on my awareness.

To me, it functions like an inverted Gowanus Expressway, or the opposite version of a city bridge; it carries an undeniable character in its absence, cutting through the sprawl of Los Angeles like a scythe rather than connecting it. Mostly empty, sometimes flooded and flowing, calm yet dangerous, its hidden potential remains a constant cause for awareness.

Below is a slideshow of paintings of the Viaducts spanning the LA River: