LA Metro Red Line Tour - Universal Station

I'm continuing with Part II of my Metro Art Tour that takes place on the first Saturday of every month.  Yesterday's post showed pictures of the NoHo Station; our second stop on the tour was Universal. 

The art theme for the Universal/Studio City Station of the Metro is the "Tree of Califas" exhibit, centered around the historic site of the Campo de Cahuenga, where in 1847 Mexico relinquished control of California to the United States.  The exhibit focuses on the significance of this event to California’s history.  California was named by the Spaniards after the mythological black Amazon queen Califas, who was said to have ruled a tribe of women warriors.

Artwork covering the pillars on the platform gives a historical timeline highlighting key dates and events related to the area’s past on ceramic tiles handwritten by the artist.  One side of each pillar is in English, and the other side of the pillar gives the same information in Spanish.  The pillars give the impression of trees inspired by the pepper trees that once lined Lankershim Blvd., with a band of blue at the top of each pillar symbolizing the sky. 

I was overwhelmed by the number of stories that were told.  It made me think about what life was like before California became a state, and how recent that time period really is to our present day.

The Mayan letter "G" is a constant motif in the Universal Metro Station, from the railings, wall tiles, to the glass etched elevator.  It symbolizes all beginnings and all endings.  More information and artist statements about the platform artwork can be found here. 

The main lobby of the Universal Metro Station contains one mural along the length of the wall, titled "Universal Delights."  It references on the film history of the area, with Carmen Miranda's face, searchlights, popcorn, a megaphone, and other film-related motifs embedded in a glass mosaic.  The mosaic was made in Germany and shipped over in two foot by two foot squares for installation in 2010.  The mural's colorful pop theme gives an upbeat air to the metro station.  More info on this art work can be found here. 

Riding the escalator down from street level in Universal Station