Out the Window presented video art in 2000 LA Metro buses, reaching more than a million Angelenos. A different piece was shown each day for two months a year until 2016, with offerings that coaxed viewers to explore and reconsider what exists out their window. The sixty artists’ videos reflected a range of subjects and styles including performances in urban public spaces, background information about LA neighborhoods, animated scenarios, ruminations about nature and investigations of other art forms. The artists told stories, shared creative impressions and offered critical insights about Los Angeles.
We also took advantage of Transit TV’s interactive capabilities, allowing riders to text their responses to the videos, and Freewaves-written prompts like “Who is invisible in L.A.?” “What’s the difference between L.A. and Hollywood?” “Can you imagine L.A. in 1492?” “What’s your soundtrack for L.A.?” The programs and prompts were presented in both English and Spanish. The responses were then posted on the website, bringing the audience’s viewpoints into the exhibition space itself. (Web users could also contribute.)
Out the Window’s dedicated website was instrumental in our goal to create a communication network among the many social, cultural, economic and creative constituencies of Los Angeles. In addition to making the work available to non-bus riders, and bringing audience thoughts and reactions into the exhibition space, the site provided instructions for submitting videos for future screenings on buses, a list of area media art centers, and resources for learning to create digital media. It also features a map of Los Angeles County geocoded according to the subjects and themes of the videos.
Artists participating in Out the Window included Yoshua Okón, The Center for Land Use Interpretation, Jovanna Tosello & Cecelia de Jesus, Poli Marichal, and Ivan Lima.
Freewaves is currently deepening and reorganizing our archive of 35 years of public art in Los Angeles. Check back in 2025 to explore more of our history.
