San Pedro Unveils Interactive, Motion Artwork:
Unique Public Art Project opens at Centre Street Lofts


Los Angeles Harbor - Elected and public officials, community members and art enthusiasts will celebrate the unveiling of Mojo, a public interactive art sculpture by internationally renowned artist Christian Moeller, at the Centre Street Lofts. The grand opening celebration and dedication will take place Thursday, February 7, 2008 at 5:00pm at Centre Street Lofts, 285 West 6th Street.

Los Angeles City Council member Janice Hahn (CD 15); Developers, Lee Homes and CIM Group, and representatives from the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles (CRA/LA) and local artists and businesses will attend the grand opening and art dedication.

Mojo’s artist, Christian Moeller, a UCLA professor of media arts, is internationally renowned for his contemporary, innovative and often interactive artworks, has recently completed projects in Singapore, Tokyo and Seattle. Moeller was selected by the development team under the guidelines of the CRA/LA’s Public Art Program. Mojo consists of a robotic arm mounted on a 30 foot column. At the tip of the robotic arm is a light which is programmed to project a beam of light, either in a random pattern on the side of the building or on the sidewalk. The beam of light also responds to pedestrian movements and illuminates those who walk by for a brief moment. Reminiscent of the robotic cargo-lifting equipment in the nearby harbor and lighthouse on Point Fermin, Mojo is a well-suited new member of the community.

Mojo has the ability to engage passers by through the use of new technologies by shadowing their movements. During daylight hours the sculpture will present itself as an elegant and large scale object in front of the Centre Street Lofts.

Centre Street Lofts and Mojo are part of CRA/LA’s redevelopment efforts in downtown San Pedro. The project consists of a 65-foot tall building with 20,000 sq.ft. ground level retail space plus six townhome-style live/work residences with street level access, which are all sold. Retailers to date include a Wells Fargo bank and a Starbucks, opening soon. The four stories above the retail space feature 110 for-sale residential lofts with one- and two-bedrooms. Centre Street Lofts also provides affordable homeownership with $3.4 million from CRA/LA in “soft-second” mortgages for 17 low- and moderate-income families.

All projects receiving CRA/LA assistance require developers to contribute 1% of development costs to an Art Plan.

“Appearing as both an aesthetic and functional object, Mojo will inevitably create conversation and provide downtown San Pedro with a new landmark, one which fully embraces our contemporary world and at the same time acknowledges essential elements that provide the foundation to San Pedro’s history,” said Bruce Ackerman, Vice Chairman of CRA/LA’s Board of Commissioners.

Developer contributions to the Art plan pay for on-site public art projects, cultural facility and other artistic enhancements throughout the project area. To date, CRA/LA’s Art Program has produced over 200 projects throughout the City of Los Angeles. Some of these well-known projects in the Harbor area include: Blue Ship, Green Bridge by Terry Schoonhoven & Michael Davis installed at Sheraton Harbor View Hotel; the John Mendez Legacy by Wayne Healy at the John Mendez Basaeba l Park; and major contributions to the restoration of the historic Warner Grand Theatre.

“We are thrilled to present this new work by Christian Moeller,” said Susan Gray, CRA/LA’s Art Planner. “It demonstrates how the tools of surveillance can contribute positively to a civic space by engaging a broad audience through playfulness as well as aesthetics. As an artwork best animated in the evening, it will also serve as a great place to meet your friends and embark upon the ArtWalk each first Thursday night,” said Gray.

As part of CRA/LA’s art program, Moeller was chosen based on interviews and an exchange of initial ideas, among 14 other artists, many with strong national reputations. The Port’s ever-present cargo and Angel’s Gate’s lighthouse are listed as Moeller’s inspiration for Mojo’s form and function. Moeller was born in Frankfurt, Germany, but has lived in Los Angeles since 2001. Moeller’s projects have been exhibited in Europe, Brazil, China, Japan, and the United States, and he is considered a pioneer in the design of interactive architectural and media installations.

About CRA/LA:
CRA/LA (www.crala.org) is a public agency regulated by the State of California and operating within the City of Los Angeles. It attracts private investment into economically depressed communities to eliminate blight, revitalize older neighborhoods, build housing for all income levels and create and retain employment opportunities.

About Beacon Street Redevelopment Project:
The Beacon Street Redevelopment Project Area is located in the seaside community of San Pedro, containing approximately 60 acres of gently sloping land between downtown San Pedro and the main channel of the Los Angeles Harbor. The Beacon Street Project Area encompasses downtown San Pedro that is attracting new housing and business improvement, retention and attraction opportunities. Both Beacon Street and Pacific Corridor are establishing Arts, Cultural, Entertainment (ACE) Districts.

Read the LA Times article
Read the NY Times article