The theme of this year's annual historical preservation celebration in West Hollywood was "Iconic Billboards of the Sunset Strip". Unlike other large metropolitan centers. Los Angeles has a playful inventive side to the landscape. Due in part to the way it has developed, spreading out horizontally, tall buildings are often used to catch the attention of drivers passing by. Those attention getting devices such as billboards, murals, neon signs ornate facades and three dimensional figures have become part and parcel of our urban identity. Ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous, photographer, Robert Landau, has been documenting this commercial landscape since the mid-70's. Just drive north on La Cienega Blvd from LAX and count how many signs you encounter! Check out his website http://robertlandau.com/
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Sign Language
The theme of this year's annual historical preservation celebration in West Hollywood was "Iconic Billboards of the Sunset Strip". Unlike other large metropolitan centers. Los Angeles has a playful inventive side to the landscape. Due in part to the way it has developed, spreading out horizontally, tall buildings are often used to catch the attention of drivers passing by. Those attention getting devices such as billboards, murals, neon signs ornate facades and three dimensional figures have become part and parcel of our urban identity. Ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous, photographer, Robert Landau, has been documenting this commercial landscape since the mid-70's. Just drive north on La Cienega Blvd from LAX and count how many signs you encounter! Check out his website http://robertlandau.com/
