Art Walk gone green

Downtown Art Walk turns Los Angeles into a green pedestrian's paradise once a month.

Fri, Jul 10 2009 at 1:37 PM

Related Topics:

Organic Foods, DIY, Eco-art

The Downtown Art Walk in Los Angeles turns the car-culture city into a pedestrian's paradise for an evening a month -- and seeking culture on foot's never been greener. Some eco-findings from last night's event:

Robert Rauschenberg's Interview at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles

Starting at the Museum of Contemporary Art, I admired Robert Rauschenberg's penchant for upcycling found objects into fine art. Above: Interview, 1955.

La Guera Tamalera - an organic tamale maker at the Downtown Art Park during Downtown Art Walk in Los Angeles

Then I walked over to the Downtown Art Park to stop by La Guera Tamalera's stand. I got a vegan organic tamale and organic horchata -- made with almond milk and sweetened with agave necrar -- which filled me up so much I didn't have room for a strawberry tamale for dessert.

Organic strawberry lemonade and organic vegan horchata by La Guera Tamalera at the Downtown Art Walk

Inside the Art Park was also Green Truck, an eco-foodie truck known for their Mother Truckers --

Green Truck at the Downtown Art Park during Downtown Art Walk in Los Angeles

and a couple local dudes with their upcycled creations! Tyler Bender Book Co. creates whimsical "new" notebooks from old hardback covers, cereal boxes, T-shirts, and recycled or reclaimed paper.

Tyler Bender Book Co. with upcycled notebooks at Downtown Art Park during Downtown Art Walk, Los Angeles

I bought a couple (he takes credit!) before browsing through his tentmate's upcycled record goods.

Tyler Bender Book Co.'s upcycled notebooks at Downtown Art Park during Downtown Art Walk, Los Angeles

Then it was on to Lot 44 Coffee Bar for organic, fair trade coffee -- and an opening for Horse Show, an art exhibition by Walker -- plus musical and dance performances in the atrium.

Lot 44 Coffee Bar in downtown Los Angeles

Another dance performance was happening in front of Apliiq, a store-workshop that encourages people to upcycle and add handmade embellishments to their clothing.

Dancers in front of Apliiq during Downtown Art Walk in Los Angeles

Apliq clothes -- including this gorgeous jacket -- are available at Etsy.

I stopped in a few more galleries -- like the one below featuring a sort of live art-performance -- before getting back on the Big Blue Bus 10 back to Santa Monica.

Woman in bed during Downtown Art Walk in Los Angeles

If you're in L.A., don't miss the next Downtown Art Walk, happening August 13.

Photos: Siel

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