"Transitional Housing"
On July 6th, Ride-Arc hosted their 2nd Anniversary ride on the eye opening but bleak topics of homeless population shifting, upper class developments amidst poverty stricken areas, and the rapid expansion of the incarceration system.
"In front of needle exchange clinic" (Pictured is Alex Amerri, one of the ride founders.)
Contrast in demographic could not be more apparent then in Downtown L.A., with upper scale loft/condo developments springing up with 4 million+ dollar pent houses, literally only blocks away from transitional housing, a needle exchange clinic, and homeless encampments.
"In front of needle exchange clinic"
Right at the heart of the city a new large scale jail facility is being constructed near the Civic Center. Already standing is the Twin Towers Correctional Facility, the largest such jail in the United States, and was of monumental expense to the State of California. This facility is able to house a high concentration of prisoners through the use of a panopticon inspired design.
"Twin Towers Correctional Facility"
In a panopticon, inmates are housed in a tower with a circular or polygonal floor plan and a single guard on each floor in the center, who is able to watch any inmate on the floor from a single location. This particular facility also subdivides cells on each floor into two half floors to stack more cells into less space, and one way optical glass is used to keep inmates unaware of when the guard is actually watching them.
"Twin Towers Correctional Facility"
"Twin Towers Correctional Facility"
Then we made our way back to the SCI-Arc campus, for food, drink, and music. It was a fun after party in spite of it concluding our trip to the county jail. I didn't get any pictures of the party it self, as it was low light (didn't bring my flash) and I didn't want to feel like I was in event photographer mode. It was interesting to walk around the campus a bit though and I took a few pictures inside.
"SCI-Arc Campus"
At art school we had a our fair share of drafting tables for doing illustration work, but SCI-Arc is the champion of most drafting tables in a single building I've ever seen.
"SCI-Arc Campus"
I was also highly captivated by a simple chair hung from the ceiling in a small gallery space near the entrance. It's amazing how different a feeling you get from something so familiar when it is simply presented in a different way.
As things were starting to settle down I got involved in a long and interesting discussion with the Ride-Arc organizers and a girl I had met at the Independence Day critical mass ride a few days previous. Debated were pro's and cons of wealthier people moving into downtown, other social issues, environmental problems, and how different demographics react to these issues. I'm looking forward to the next event if for no other reason then the conversations that can happen.
"SCI-Arc Campus"
After the after party there was a bunch of folks still seeking yet more adventure. I joined them in their quest for an early breakfast and drinks, as we indecisively meandered the streets of downtown looking for something that was open. We finally stopped at a local diner, and made conversation over toast and jam. Finally at what was then I think 5:15 in the morning, I rode my bike back to Santa Monica.
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