City of street lights

What does a dingy parking lot in east Hollywood have in common with the newly expanded Los Angeles County Museum of Art? Both now have prominent artworks featuring Los Angeles street lamps. "Urban Light," a forest of more than 200 vintage lamps, was created by one of Los Angeles' most noted artists, Chris Burden, and installed front-and-center on Wilshire Boulevard.  That's certainly more imposing than "Vermonica," (pictured) a single row of 25 lamps plunked in a shopping center lot near the corner of Vermont Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard (the inspiration of its name). Still, Vermonica, created by artist Sheila Klein with $9,000 in city and private funds, pre-dates the museum's piece (no price tag given) by about 15 years.  Another advantage: you can park for free under your favorite lamp.  Los Angeles Street Light Gallery

-- Jesus Sanchez

Photo: Los Angeles Times