An explosion of public art

We've been hearing two things about Los Angeles in recent years. It's fast-becoming an art capital, and it's embracing public space, with new parks, public transit, a reclaimed river and more. But are the two connected? Because if you drive, walk or take the train right now you will see a lot of art. The list includes: the recent Current LA: Water public art biennial that put conceptual art installations relating to the theme of water, in far-flung corners of the city; Liquid Shard, the floaty tinselly wing suspended over Pershing Square by Patrick Shearn that drew crowds to the unloved park; artworks at each station on the new Gold Line and Expo Line Extensions; and a bumper crop of new murals across the region.