Ed Ruscha›s parking lot shots belong to my favourite photographies for quite some time now. These »simple patterns that remind me of where I am or where I’ve come from« (Ruscha) were published in his 1967 book »Thirty-four Parking Lots in Los Angeles«. Taken from a helicopter on a Sunday morning, they show linear parking simplicity as well as elaborate parking systems around the Dodgers Stadium.
Forty years later, quality L.A. aerial photography is available easily and for free — thank you, Internet. I have put together a tour of most of the locations with links to Ruscha pictures at Yancey Richardson Gallery. The medium of choice is of course Google Earth: Here is the Google Earth placemark folder for the Ruscha tour. Download and use the Play button for a virtual helicopter flight. Unfortunately, you need a broadband connection, Windows and a fast computer for Google Earth, so for all the others here a links to Google Maps pages and the corresponding pictures.
Pierce College, Woodland Hills (Ruscha #26)
Pierce College, Woodland Hills (Ruscha #27)
Canoga Park (Ruscha #12)
5500 Canoga, Woodland Hills (Ruscha #17)
7101 Sepulveda Blvd., Van Nuys (Ruscha #20)
7133 Kester Ave., Van Nuys (Ruscha #8)
Church of Christ, 14655 Sherman Way (Ruscha #21)
14601 Sherman Way, Van Nuys (Ruscha #19)
14425 Sherman Way, Van Nuys (Ruscha #6)
14400 Sherman Way, Van Nuys (Ruscha #14)
Federal, County & Police Building lots, Van Nuys (Ruscha #29)
6150 Laurel Canyon Blvd., North Hollywood (Ruscha #7)
Bellingham & Hamlin, North Hollywood (Ruscha #11)
6610 Laurel Canyon Blvd., North Hollywood (Ruscha #9)
2627 N. Hollywood Way, Burbank (Ruscha #2, #3)
Fashion Square, Sherman Oaks (Ruscha #24)
Universal Studios (Ruscha #18)
Hollywood Bowl (Ruscha #4)
Wilshire Blvd. & Santa Monica Blvd. (Ruscha #30)
Century City (Ruscha #22, #23)
6201 W. 3rd St. (Ruscha #16)
6067 Wilshire Blvd. (Ruscha #25)
5600-5700 Blocks of Wilshire Blvd. (Ruscha #28)
5000 W. Carling Way (Ruscha #5)
4465 Wilshire Blvd. (Ruscha #15)
5th & Hill (Ruscha #1)
Dodgers Stadium (Ruscha #13)