Electric Moons

Explore the overlooked legacy of street lighting in Los Angeles with Electric Moons by India Mandelkern. This captivating book delves into the fascinating history of LA's streetlights, from their innovative designs to their role in shaping the city's identity.

While streetlights are now ubiquitous, Los Angeles once boasted a variety of imaginative designs that reflected the city's civic pride and rapid growth. Electric Moons examines how streetlights transcended their utilitarian purpose, becoming symbols of public art that connected local interests with universal beliefs. Mandelkern's research spans social history, cultural anthropology, urban studies, and design history, illustrating how street lighting influenced debates on civics, surveillance, infrastructure, and public space.