Public Art lives in Culver City
Unlike yesterday’s article–which featured art on architecture– today I’m showing where and how the city of Culver City decided to use Public Art to help enhance the quality of life for its residents and business’.
Subsequently, during the last decade, most people wouldn’t assume that Culver City has crossed the line into becoming a progressive city. Long known as a sleepy blue collar enclave, Culver City has undergone a total revamp. Part of that remodel was the formation of the Cultural Affairs Commission in 2001. Meanwhile appreciation and endurance of public art in Culver City, started with the establishment of a special Ordinance 2004–more commonly referred to as “Art in Public Places Program” or “Public Art Program.”
Regardless of its name, Ordinance 2004 requires:
New residential development projects of five (5) or more units, and all commercial, industrial and public building development projects (with certain exceptions) with building valuations exceeding $500,000, and rehabilitations exceeding $250,000, are subject to the City’s public art requirement.
The art requirement can be met in one of four ways:
- By placing an approved art work with a minimum value of one percent of the total building cost on the site; or
- By having the building architecture (or component thereof) be considered art for purposes of fulfilling the City’s public art requirement; or
- By paying one percent of the total building cost into the Art Fund; or
- By donating art work which values at least one percent of the total building cost to the City. Source: CulverCity.org.
With nearly 80 public art pieces as a result of this Ordinance, so far, Culver City is a great place to relax and enjoy the surroundings.
In my short story, I’ve included three works of art; all within a block of each other.
First is the remarkable sculptured tower entitled “High Ground,” by Culver City artist Robert Toll. Made “from steel strips in order to create the appearance of motion,” it stands 15’. It’s located at 12101 W. Washington Boulevard.
Combining a tile mosaic and stainless steel, “Reach for the Stars” by Gary Soszynski is a mixture of traditional and contemporary materials. Standing 24’ high, this sculpture extends above, and in front of the building’s entry, spiraling skyward. It’s located at 12202 W. Washington Boulevard.
Across the street from “Reach for the Stars,” is Andrea Cohen Gehring’s “Three Sheets to the Wind.” With the use of metal mesh–representing the sails of a ship, and corrugated metal to represent ocean waves–Ms. Gehring takes the local passerby’s on an ocean voyage–from the top of a building located several miles from the beach.
Yes Virginia, there’s not only a busy Santa Claus when he passes by Culver City; while Travelin’ Local, he knows who’s been naughty, nice, and which buildings need a little more lovin’ because they’re full of Public Art.
Here’s some additional pictures of these wonderful sculptures:
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Hi Lisa, I have always enjoyed public art. There is just so many places to explore, and my list is getting longer, and did not get a chance to visit this side of town. Maybe I will be in this area in early spring, including the Baloona Creek.
Ebie´s last blog ..MyWorld: Hollywood at Night
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LisaNewton Reply:
December 7th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
@Ebie, I’m all over the city. In the next week or two, I’ll be doing a couple of posts from East Hollywood, pretty close to you.
What can I say, I love LA.
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