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Getty and Artist Marcus Lyon Present Alta: A Human Atlas of a City of Angels

Posted on November 12, 2024 - By The Getty Conservation Institute (GCI)
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Getty and Artist Marcus Lyon Present Alta: A Human Atlas of a City of Angels
Getty and Artist Marcus Lyon Present Alta: A Human Atlas of a City of Angels
The Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) and London-based artist Marcus Lyon announced today the launch of Alta / A Human Atlas of a City of Angels, the latest cycle in Lyon’s series of international social impact art projects. The project presents a Human Atlas” of 100 people who are creating substantial positive change in Los Angeles County, charting their lives and impact through a limited-edition portrait book, exhibition, website, mobile app, and podcast titled Intersections: Los Angeles.

The full interactive project will be exhibited at the Los Angeles Public Library’s Central Library from January 13 to April 27, 2025. The weekly podcast, which launched its first episode today, features the voices of all 100 nominated change agents from across Los Angeles. Available to stream on Apple, Google, Spotify, and more, the Los Angeles iteration of the award-winning podcast series, Intersections, is narrated by Chicana musician and activist Martha Gonzalez, brought together by award-winning sound designer Sarah Myles with original music by Brian Eno.

From globally celebrated comedian and Chicano art champion Cheech Marin to indigenous rights leader Janet Martinez, the project sheds light on a diverse mix of 100 “change agents” in Los Angeles County. It reveals how their lives intersect with Los Angeles—past, present, and future—creating a legacy work that documents and preserves a deeper narrative for generations to come about the city, its people, and communities. Nominees span a wide range of ages, origins, and vocations to map the exceptional diversity of the region. The project was built on the foundation of a years-long nomination process overseen by a curatorial committee of notable cultural leaders from across the County. The committee assembled the final group of individuals from a list of 400 nominations. The final group of social entrepreneurs, non-profit leaders, activists, artists, and scientists represents an extraordinary cohort of people from the well-known to unsung heroes, all who dedicate their lives to the service of others.


Marcus Lyon

Jewel Thais-Williams, LGBTQ+ legend and founder of Catch One Club, Alta / A Human Atlas of a City of Angels© Marcus Lyon / A Human Atlas


For this project, Lyon and his team interviewed and captured portraits of 100 nominees and analyzed their ancestral DNA. Their life stories are available in both a written and oral format on the project’s bespoke image recognition app which pairs with their images and combines with maps of their ancestral DNA that cast light on their origins. A Spanish translation of the book is also available online.

“Part scientific research project, part art exploration, Alta unlocks the depth of the Los Angeles region and preserves the legacy of a cohort of its most inspirational inhabitants for future generations,” says Lyon. “We hope Alta will activate a deep dialogue and inspire a space where the most important issues of our time are articulated, and heard, in order to create meaningful change.”

“As an important and cherished community hub, the Los Angeles Public Library strives to make a difference in the lives of Angelenos, says City Librarian John F. Szabo. So, we are delighted to host the Human Atlas exhibit at Central Library that showcases individuals who contribute to positive change in our city.”

Nominees include veteran labor rights leader Dolores Huerta; LGBTQ+ legend Jewel Thais-Williams; Father Greg Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries; civil rights lawyer and AAPI activist Manjusha Kulkarni; Trans Latina Rights community leader Bamby Salcedo; poet and educator Luis Rodríguez; housing justice activist Scarlett Paulina De Leon; animal justice activist and great-grandniece of Cesar Chavez, Genesis Butler; activist artist Patrisse Cullors; urban planner Rudy Espinoza; ASCO creative polymath Harry Gamboa Jr.; medical visionary Dr. Thanh Neville; and more.


Marcus Lyon

Scarlett Paulina De Leon, housing justice activist, Alta / A Human Atlas of a City of Angels © Marcus Lyon / A Human Atlas


“While the GCI is a global organization, we always look for opportunities to be active in and relevant to Los Angeles,” says Tom Learner, head of science at the Getty Conservation Institute. “In this period of significant social change, we thought a Human Atlas of LA would allow us to engage more directly with its diverse cultures and audiences. From a conservation perspective, this project defines and preserves a moment in time for Los Angeles, told through the images, voices, and stories of 100 individuals across the County, and we are thrilled to be collaborating with Marcus on it.”

Lyon created the Human Atlas concept in 2014 and, in partnership with many talented collaborators, has built significant projects on Brazil (2016), Germany (2018), Detroit (2020), and Silicon Valley (2023). The award-winning series has been exhibited globally.

Alta / A Human Atlas of a City of Angels is among more than 70 exhibitions and programs presented as part of PST ART: Art & Science Collide, a landmark event in Southern California exploring the intersections of art and science. PST ART is presented by Getty. Lead partners are Bank of America, Alicia Miñana & Rob Lovelace, and the Getty Patron Program. Principal partners are Simons Foundation; Eva and Ming Hsieh, Co-Founders of Fulgent Genetics; and Peggy and Andrew Cherng, Co-Chairs and Co-CEOs of Panda Express. Additional support for Alta / a Human Atlas of a City of Angels is provided by John E. and Louise Bryson.


Marcus Lyon

Father Gregory J. Boyle, Gang rehabilitation leader and founder of Homeboy Industries, Alta / A Human Atlas of a City of Angels © Marcus Lyon / A Human Atlas


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