In the Eye of the Storm

«Art is an evolutionary act. The shape of art and its role in society is constantly changing. At no point is art static. There are no rules.» –Raymond Salvatore Harmon
There is a plaque at the entrance of the art installation that reads: «To symbolize the processes and human dimensions of the 911 system, this public art program is comprised of the following elements: Origins/​Dilemmas-​caller location codes and police incident codes inscribed on the plaza; The Vortex-​a seemingly chaotic array of elliptical columns with dark polished surfaces to reflect the city in malevolent manner; The Connection-​a glass cylinder, with inscriptions suggesting the interface between an operator and community resources via technology; Outcomes-​words inscribed on the outer wall, which suggest the police department’s role as a community resource. The interactive space in The Connection symbolizes that fragile moment when the person in distress calls the 911 system, to make an empathic yet anonymous connection. People on either side of the panel can talk to each other an cooperatively interact and revolve the panel, but not see each other.»
In the Eye of the Storm is a thought provoking 360 degree experience that walks you through the heart of urban crisis management. As you walk through the installation, various police codes for issues such as «Missing», «Theft», «Mental», «Indecent Exp» and many others line marble tiles under your feet. A vortex with excerpts from 911 calls makes you feel as though you are hearing echo’s of past emergencies. None of them are complete sentences. Shiny metal columns seem to pierce the pavement like barbs, adding to the feeling of anxiety the artist is trying to convey. Along the walls, words such as «Rescue» and «Capture» are etched into the cinder blocks like memories that can never fade.
Adding to the even greater impact of this piece, it is adjacent to L.A.‘s Parker Center, the LAPD’s HQ from 1954 until 2009. The artists, B. J. Krivanek and Joel Breaux installed this in 2002. I had no idea it was there until I happened by it walking to Little Tokyo from Union Station. For a listing of more public art in L.A. there is a very helpful website: