Alta - A Human Atlas

This innovative app unlocks the portraits of Marcus Lyon’s Alta project. Simply hold your phone in front of any of the 100 portraits in the book or exhibition and start listening.

Alta is a research-based exploration of social change in Los Angeles in the early twenty-first century. The four-year project was built on the foundations of a year-long nomination process, where a diverse group of Angelenos nominated individuals from their own communities. Each nominee has made significant contributions to LA and embodies the very best of service to society. The final 100 frame many of the most important narratives about this region of Southern California.

The project maps these remarkable people through photographic portraits, app-based oral histories, and ancestral DNA to create a deeper understanding of the communities of Los Angeles County. Alta holds a mirror up to society and encourages audiences to question their own roles and responsibilities towards their communities, cities, and fellow humans.

Alta — A Human Atlas of a City of Angels is a collaboration with the Getty Conservation Institute. Alta is among more than 60 exhibitions and programs presented as part of PST ART: Art & Science Collide (2024-25): 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 and Rob Lovelace, Getty Patron Program. The principal partner is Simons Foundation. Additional support for Alta provided by John E. and Louise Bryson.
Alta is an EarthPercent accredited project and is available in book, museum exhibition, architectural projection, podcast, and digital formats.
For more information about PST ART: Art & Science Collide, please visit pst.art