Ed Ruscha's "Hollywood Sign" series reflects his deep engagement with the landscape and film culture of Los Angeles, marking a significant theme within his broader body of work. Ruscha first drew the Hollywood sign in 1967, and since then, this emblematic image has recurred in many of his paintings, drawings, and prints. His fascination with the sign extends beyond its cultural iconography; he has humorously referred to it as a "smog indicator," suggesting that if he could see the sign clearly, it indicated that the weather was fine​ (Unframed)​.

Ruscha's relationship with Hollywood and cinema is profound, stemming from his early experiences watching Hollywood films in Oklahoma and later becoming immersed in the film scene after moving to Los Angeles in 1956. This intersection of film and art is evident in Ruscha's engagement with the artistic avant-garde and friendships with notable figures such as Dennis Hopper, Dean Stockwell, and Andy Warhol, among others. By the late 1960s and early 1970s, Ruscha himself began making films, including "Premium" (1971) and "Miracle" (1975), though he viewed these works as exploratory rather than definitive statements​ (Unframed)​.

The Hollywood sign in Ruscha's work transcends its role as a mere subject to embody a deeper exploration of Los Angeles's cultural landscape. His use of the sign in various artworks speaks to a broader dialogue about fame, media, and the ephemeral nature of cultural icons. As such, Ruscha's Hollywood series offers a nuanced commentary on the intersection of place, identity, and artistry, cementing his position as a pivotal figure in contemporary art and highlighting his unique ability to blend pop culture with fine art practices​ (LACMA)​​ (Unframed)​.