Players hide in plain sight — see the line at the theater?
Almost Invisible Box. Photo by Nicholas Busalacchi
Artist Joshua Callaghan installed landscape prints on Town Plaza’s utility boxes in 2004, conceiving them as a continuation of Culver City’s urban fabric. This optical illusion is meant to make the viewer an active participant in the art installation (CulverCity.org, n.d.). Did you know there are actually nine of these vinyl-wrapped utility boxes in and around Town Plaza?
Culver Studios was established in 1918 by Thomas Ince, after he built his Triangle Studio further west (which is now the site of Sony Pictures). One day while driving around town, Harry Culver (the City founder and developer) saw Thomas Ince shooting a Western film on Ballona Creek. Culver immediately realized the possibilities and approached Ince, convincing him to move his studio from the beach to Culver City.
For rallies at this landmark, head inside the dining room of the hotel — where breakfast, lunch and dinner are served. (9400 Culver Blvd, 90232)
The Culver Hotel (photographs courtesy of Hotel management)
Citizen Kane reenactment at City Hall – Tossing the snow globe into the fire place pic.twitter.com/k8xdZKWJ6V
Culver City Hall. Photo by François Bar.
This location revolved around the Panoramic and Quotation Courtyard at City Hall. This installation was completed in 1995 with the opening of the new City Hall.
The opening of the new city hall coincides with a rejuvenation of Culver City in the early 1990s. Sony Pictures had recently established their studio in Culver after many of the classic studios, such as MGM and RKO had left by the 1970s. The 1990s in Culver also showed an increasing presence of the arts; which is reflected in the Courtyard and other public art works that the city commissioned.
Players make live signpost to LA landmarks
The Ivy Substation, once an essential component of the Pacific Railway system, stood at the crossroads of several vital transportation lines linking Culver City to many regional landmarks. Sankofa Says invites players to reminisce about this connected past by pointing to major regional destinations and landmarks.
Iconic Helms Bakery sign. Photo by Nicholas Busalacchi.
Helms Bakery holds a special place in Culver City’s past. Paul Helms opened his bakery in 1931 between Venice and Washington Boulevards, and the business thrived until 1969, when the bakery could no longer keep up with local supermarkets. Unlike we’re used to today, Helms bread was never sold in stores. Instead, drivers in yellow and blue trucks delivered it “daily to your door.”
Venice payphone group challenge
The Venice Payphone is right near the Museum of Jurassic Technology. Discover the history of Venice Blvd as an artery for LA, and stop by one of the strangest museums in the country.
Directions: Meet at 9301 Venice Blvd, 90232 (just off Canfield St). You can’t miss the payphone!
For the strange museum itself, start by reading their introduction and background.
Group challenge with the Main St payphone
On what the Guinness Book calls “World Smallest Main Street”, next to Church Hill Antiques, sits one of the few remaining working PayPhones in Culver City. When was the last time you used payphone?… Here is your chance to try out this retro technology. Don’t forget to bring some change.