JR Throws 'Westside' Hand Sign on East Wall of Bristol Hotel for 'The Wrinkles of the City'

By Shelley Leopold Mon., Feb. 28 2011 at 1:41 PM

Peeking up between buildings on the corner of S. Olive and 8th , "Westsiiiide" represents on the east wall of the Bristol Hotel. Living in LA, we know the origins of this iconic hand sign. Have we been desensitized to the gang connotations over the years after seeing it in 20-odd years of music videos?

Shannon Cottrell

Shannon Cottrell

JR has been known to stir things up, as with his project in the streets of Palestine and Israel, were he posted "enemies" on shop walls. The citizens were worried that the businesses would be burned down or go bankrupt. But, in reality no one could tell the difference between an Israeli or a Palestinian portrait, unless they were told.

Shannon Cottrell

So, as JR continues to challenge Los Angeles in black and white Xerox, without knowing who's hand it is, or what the signer may have meant by his gesture, is this taboo? Or, does it unite those of us who live on the Best Coast? What do you think?

Shannon Cottrell

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EFREN LUNA

JR was just awarded the TED prize in Long Beach CA $100,000 for his wish to change the world! http://www.ted.com/talks/jr_s_...

guest

i'm going to see this art installation this weekend it's a tribute to the greatest made entirely out of BOXING GLOVES. Love Mohammad Ali, so I can't wait.

http://www.refinery29.com/muha...

Grubbinongrits

HATERSSSSSS

Amcnida

And that's the wonderful thing about ART. It can be interpreted in many different ways. ;)

Sparks

If that part of our society that got Obama to screw us over paid more attention to those older , more experienced and better educated people, I dare say we wouldn't be in this mess now. You non-chalant, pseudo claimers of trying to influence people that your intelligence is way out there is a farce. Intelligencia like this is lacking in the one area thatyou, and all the other egotistical people miss......... common sense. These pictures bring tto forgotten seniors a little bit of rememberance that says we exist and love the fact we can still out do many of you younger folks in certain areas.

Suburban Rider

Some people politicize everything. Give it a rest!

Throwingthetowel

I think its great that foreigners come into Los Angeles and legally get more support than the locals who have put it down here for many years before.

I really enjoy looking at european street art and the concepts that are pushed but what about the local artists that have been doing it in LA for quite sometime now like Euth, Smear, Sharktooth, Duart, Linelinedot, the Domino Guy, Threelegged, Smog City...

The list goes on. We should show more support for the Los Angeles locals so then we can export their talents to other countries and influence them with the LA style.

Looks like a money act on JR's part. Wu-Tang forevahhh!!!

love it

those of us not living in LA didn't realize it is a gang sign. Nonetheless, the artist is making an impact creating awareness and promoting unity. No, this is no Banksy. This is the real deal.

Infidels

Ho-hum. Another Banksy wannabe.At least Banksy's work has a bit of humor in it. This "Westside" isn't humorous, or really even very confrontational.Just another false-claiming 'artist'.

Avant Guardian Angel

Whoa, you've heard of Banksy?! You must be uber hip. Like, super-in-the-know. Comparing every street artist to Banksy is not only ignorant, it's frankly laughable. Just so you know JR travels to cities across the world capturing the essence of the community, so this Westside piece is perfect for L.A. JR is totally rad and doesn't just come to towns where Oscars are on the line.

C Virden

The point is that it is a WRINKLED (Wrinkles in the City) hand. This is no gang banger's hand. Rather, it belongs to one of our aged citizens who is saying "We are here! We love being here! Please see us as important, not has beens!"

C Virden

By the way, it's my hand.