One of the most intriguing aspects of social space recreated by crowds is Bubble Gum Alley in Downtown San Luis Obispo. Started in 1960 and has never once been clean from the massive wads of gum sticking into wall. It’s pretty much a institution which makes the town unique other than historical preservation of building and open space. You might say it is part grafitti which power of the people takes over a space or a wall.
Bubble Gum Alley in Downtown San Luis Obispo
Bubble Gum Alley from the other end.
of social involvement and spatial engagement.
Song of the Blog: John Cage Bubblegum by Stereolab on the CD Refried Ectoplasm: Switch On, vol. 2
Today is Earth Day. Not much of a celebration but to bring awareness to the planet. Much of the media are focusing on what ways to live sustainable lives where human consumption impacts the earth.
The City of Los Angeles just approved a proposal to make private developers to meet nationally-developed green building standards which are LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). Whether it will make a huge difference, time will tell. There is a wager on which cities, Los Angeles or San Francisco, will make more of an impact. It seems that SF has won this battle for the meantime, but the only good way for LA to be a truly sustainable city is too drastically change our habits: Live close to where your work is at, live small than live way beyond your means, shared housing and stay close to your community.
It seems people here in LA still don’t get it, but they will someday, someway and somehow.
Sunset at the Venice basketball courts.
Song of the Blog: This is Good Remix by Fascinoma on their LP Everything is a Landmark (Playing tonight at Silverlake Lounge @ 10:00pm.)