As a landmark of exceptional history, dynamic culture, and socio-economic boom, Olvera Street symbolizes a prominent component in representing Los Angeles as a city of incomparable diversity. As a city, Los Angeles utilizes Olvera Street to not only prompt tourists to experience a family-oriented, entertaining environment of the city, but also productively contribute to its economy. In one aspect, the public place introduces a cultural side to Los Angeles aimed for tourists and newcomers to the area. Olvera Street attempts to preserve its distinct culture and demonstrate a minute division of its history of water and development during the times of Otis and Chandler, as well as William Mulholland. To attract tourists to Los Angeles, this Mexican marketplace serves as a significant place and a must-go attraction to become familiar with the customs of this flourishing city. It is a cornucopia of the Latin culture and the old pueblo, in which Olvera Street endeavors to reproduce with its artificial brick walls, rows of the Mexican flag, and traditional masks an trinkets sold in every store on the street. For Los Angeles, the street provides a route towards an entertaining and cultural experience, even though the culture represented in Olvera Street does not necessarily reflect the truth. Nonetheless, this public place affords a method of luring tourists, for commercializing and economic purposes, into Olvera Street and essentially the greater city of Los Angeles.
In relation to Olvera Street as a necessary component of Los Angeles, there was an issue of needlessly large rent increases and plummeting sales. The issue known as SOS (Save Olvera Street) aims to maintain the existence of Olvera Street and preserve a tradition that has been sustained for several decades. Click here for a 2010 article addressing SOS!
The fascinating coincidence that Olvera Street is currently undergoing preservation reflects the past resurrection of Olvera Street as a cultural center. Due to social engineering, Olvera Street became dilapidated and worn, unsuitable for the expanse of culture it symbolizes today. However, some magnetizing property of the Olvera Street has allowed the former cultural center to reinvent itself as a landmark of Mexican culture. I still contend that the current identity of Olvera Street is forced at best, as the ostensibly vibrant colors of ornaments adorning the stores, the rich diversity in language overheard while strolling down the alleys, and the preservation of history in tourist draws all are recreations of what formerly existed. I question whether or not the street's quaintness encompasses the locale's image even more so than the culture that has resettled there today.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to hear your perspective on the definition of a public space and if Olvera Street fulfills that definition. Do you believe that the location has lost its original identity, thereby making it an inadequate public space?Many would argue that it has become an illusion of what it once was, especially after its restoration era when Christine Sterling hired men to dress as settlers and stand outside the shops. Do you also think that Olvera Street has unfortunately lost a specific audience even though it attracts a wide range of visitors? This audience might include the locals who believe that their culture is being mocked and misrepresented.
ReplyDeleteI am from Los Angeles, and I have only been to Olvera Street twice in my life (both times were for school projects). Aside from the locals living around the landmark that work on the street, not many Angelinos have a reason to visit Olvera Street. This is why I personally do not believe it is a good public space. The street was built primarily to attract tourists, not to fulfill the city's inhabitants' need for a place to socialize and relax. Do you believe the street is useful to the actual residents of Los Angeles or just the employees and tourists?
ReplyDelete