Los Angeles Public Art
Urban Light: A Glowing Forest of Vintage Los Angeles Street Lamps
Los Angeles, California, United States
By the Wicked Cool Places editors · Published
Why it’s cool
This massive assembly of 202 antique street lamps transforms a busy Los Angeles sidewalk into a glowing, neoclassical forest of steel and light.
A dense thicket of steel-gray pillars stands at the gateway to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, casting a permanent glow over the Miracle Mile. This is Urban Light, a monumental sculpture by the late artist Chris Burden that serves as both a nostalgic nod to old California and a beacon of modern sustainability.
Why It Stands Out
The installation consists of 202 vintage street lamps salvaged from across Southern California. The nearby Heritage Square Museum also preserves historic architecture from the region.
Burden began gathering these relics in the 1980s, eventually amassing a collection that once occupied his private property in Topanga Canyon. In 2008, the project found a permanent home at LACMA.
While the lamps vary in height and design, a uniform coat of gray paint binds them into a cohesive architectural statement. The artist behind the work, Chris Burden, was originally known for provocative performance pieces in the 1970s.
His early career involved high-stakes acts of physical endurance, but his later years were defined by large-scale sculptures like this one. By converting the entire array to solar power, the museum ensures the installation remains a functional part of the city landscape.
Walking through the rows of lamps feels like stepping into an open-air temple, where the industrial history of Los Angeles is elevated to high art. Another rescued relic of the city's history is the Chicken Boy statue.
Before You Go
Urban Light is situated directly on the sidewalk of Wilshire Boulevard, making it accessible to the public at any hour without a museum ticket. While the sculpture is impressive during the day, the true experience begins after sunset when the solar-powered bulbs illuminate the plaza.
Visiting at night also helps avoid the heaviest crowds of tourists and commuters.
Questions worth answering
Is there a cost to see the installation?
You won't pay a cent to walk through these rows. It sits right on the Wilshire Boulevard sidewalk, so no museum ticket is required for entry.
When is the best time to visit?
Wait until the sun goes down. The solar bulbs turn on then, and you'll miss the thickest crowds of commuters and tourists.
What is the history behind these pillars?
Chris Burden spent years gathering 202 old street lamps from around Southern California. He painted them all the same shade of gray to create a unified look.
Does the sculpture have a specific mood?
It feels like an open-air temple made of industrial relics. The atmosphere is historic but functional, especially since the whole grid runs on solar power.
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