Travelin' Local » public art

Bell Communications around the Globe

Lisa Newton — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 03:06:06 +0000

Located on the AT&T building at 420 S. Grand Ave., is one of the most innovative pieces of public art I’ve ever seen. Measuring 36 feet wide and 17 feet high, the sculpture-cum-installation, “Bell Communications around the Globe,” incorporates small bits and pieces from telephone components including coils, coin box chutes, cables, and bells which adds both texture and depth to this magnificent artwork.

It’s hard to imagine where we’d be without the telephone. The phone has quickly evolved from rotary dials, to push button models, to portable extension phones, and now an incredible array of cell phones available for the general public. These new cell phones include every type of technological application that can be put into a tiny phone.

Does anyone remember the days of “party lines?”

But I digress.

Artist, Anthony Heinsbergen, created this public masterpiece in 1961 using the communication tools available during that time. If created today, this mosaic would look quite different. About his work, Anthony Heinsbergen said:

This mosaic was not intended to be a map. Our objective was to tell the story of worldwide communication by cable, radio, telephone and satellite and do this in a way that would capture the attention and interest of people. A certain amount of artistic license was taken to achieve this end. Source: USC

While documenting this story and standing at the sculpture’s base taking pictures, people continually walked by me and seemed to be taking another look at something they’d probably seen many times, but never really noticed. Within each of its details, the notion of just how much telecommunications have changed, and changed our individual and collective lives, has truly created a giant global community, as the Bell Communications installation is as intricate in its design, as it is in its meaning and symbolism. And it reminds you of it with every single one of its thousands of unique but interrelated parts.

If you want to visit and see this amazing piece of art, the “Bell Communications around the Globe” is located at 420 S. Grand Ave. By the way, a time capsule titled the "Capsule of Communication," was buried alongside the installation when the building and mural were dedicated in 1961. The time capsule was installed with a 50 year time span to be opened, which expires next year.

I wonder what it contains and why it was inserted. Such is the fate of tinkerers and thinkers. And for that, without progress and freedom to create, Travelin’ Local would be like walking in the desert.

Water and Art meet in Downtown Los Angeles

Lisa Newton — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 04:59:17 +0000

Obviously in Los Angeles we don’t get nearly enough annual rainfall to serve our city and county’s population water needs. So when you turn on your faucet, do you know where that water comes from?

Believe it or not, most of California’s water supply comes from rain and snowfall. That’s right, even though we might not like it when rains, we need it and must have it to survive.

When I first moved here from the East Coast, I couldn’t believe how rare rain did fall. And in the summer, months go by without any precipitation. Even during our “rainy” season, weeks go by without a drop.

You see, rain and snowfall turn into groundwater, which is basically rain that has trickled through rock layers, forming pools after many years, and surface water such as rivers and streams. The small streams and creeks feed the rivers. Then much of the water is then stored in reservoirs and aqueducts for use later on.

“Our precipitation varies widely from year to year. In average years, close to 200 million acre-feet (MAF) of water falls in the form of rain or snow in California.

Over half of that water soaks into the ground, evaporates, or is used by native vegetation. That leaves somewhere around 82 million acre-feet of usable surface water in average years. Of that water:

48% goes to environmental uses such as instream flows, wild and scenic river flows, required Delta outflow, and managed wetlands.

41% is used by agriculture.

9% is used by cities and industry.

Most of the rain and snowfall occurs between October and April, while demand is highest during the hot and dry summer months. About 75% of California’s available water occurs north of Sacramento, while about 80% of the demand occurs in the southern two-thirds of the state. Our groundwater provides about 40% of the state’s water supply. In dry years, that percentage can go as high as 60%.

California is prone to both droughts and floods. The most recent prolonged dry spell was a six-year drought from 1987 to 1992. The most severe drought on record occurred in two consecutive years, 1976 and 1977, in which California received very little precipitation and surface water reservoirs were extremely low.” Source: Association of California Water Agencies

Why am I bringing all of this water information up now?

First, because it’s that time of the year when we need to watch the weather reports.

BTW, rain is predicted for Wednesday, so don’t forget your umbrella.

Secondly, if you haven’t seen it yet, artist Joseph Young did a wonderful public art display, a “Topographical Map of Water Sources in County of Los Angeles,” measuring 20 feet high by 80 feet wide located at the Los Angeles Hall of Records, at 322 West Temple, in the heart of downtown.

To follow the map, the mountainous areas are black, valleys are brown, and the Pacific Ocean is a colorful mosaic of green and blue tile. Pinkish granite represents the County’s northern boundary at the Sierra Mountains.

I just happened to walk by one day while Travelin’ Local and saw it. And from that point, that’s when the seed of this story was just a concept and now you’ve read it.

Color comes alive in East Hollywood

Lisa Newton — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 02:59:16 +0000

In the city the size of Los Angeles, with a population of over 10 million, the 51,000 people who call East Hollywood home is a small number; only half a percent of our total population.

With Armenians, Mexicans, Russians, Filipinos, Koreans, Japanese, Eastern Europeans, Chinese, and Middle Eastern residents all calling East Hollywood home, you can turn any street corner and hear a myriad of languages, eat at numerous types of restaurants, and shop at varied stores, all having a different flavor, texture, and heritage of its own.

Another way to look at East Hollywood’s size is to compare it in square miles. LA encompasses a total of 4061 square miles, while East Hollywood is nothing but a veritable island, comprising only 1.8 square miles.

But, as this public art map demonstrates, it’s a gold mine of public murals celebrating life, culture, heritage, history, and storytelling.

The bursting and bold colors of East Hollywood evoke the imagination–from the known, to other places and cities. With its rich textural art structure of different shapes, lines, forms, images, and drawings; you could be anywhere, in any city, and as far as your imagination can take you.

Art and its aesthetic are both organic to its subject, and to its own symbolism. The other natural beauty of these murals and art, is based on their images and building blocks of design, wherein lay the beauty of the process itself—the mimesis.

East Hollywood has heart, and a lot of it.

I’m proud to call this small portion of Los Angeles “My Town,” and remain amazed at the depth of talent, color, design, and sheer number and quality of its public art and murals. Every time I turned a new corner, I saw an impressive new artist’s creation; which makes for this project.

Walking this route is easy—I’m not done documenting this small enclave—because the area that encloses East Hollywood is relatively small. Click on either the flag to see a larger version of the picture, or click on the picture to see where it’s located on the map.

The different murals were created both recently and from a few years back, but nonetheless, as they say, enjoy the show.

Creating a Michael Jackson Mural

Lisa Newton — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 03:11:04 +0000

The idea and reality of having our urban and public landscape as a place to display, create, and to appreciate art is ingrained in the heart of LA. Aptly labeled—Public Art—allows people the ability to enjoy, view, and appreciate multiple artists and their multi-faceted creations. In this, the plethora of beautiful images, sculptures, buildings, and murals, become unique and a part of a neighborhood, a borough, a city, a state, and a nation.

Most people enjoy and appreciate museums and art galleries; but there’s something very exciting and inexplicably unique in having that museum on the streets, so to speak. When that public “museum” comes to us in the form of public murals, drawings, sculptures, and statues– I often ponder and wonder how much work, effort, and techniques went into creating any particular piece of Public Art.

For the rest, hop on over to MLAPA.org.

Public Art lives in Culver City

Lisa Newton — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 04:44:43 +0000

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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The Director’s Roundtable Garden at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Lisa Newton — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 04:05:23 +0000

Nothing is simple, and the above picture takes simplicity into the realm of the exquisite. The picture above is nothing short of electric in how it seizes your senses with its sheer attention grabbing eccentricity, elegance, and wittiness.

Entitled “Urban Lights” by Chris Burden, this sculpture incorporates more than two hundred vintage street lights from Los Angeles County. Installed in January 2008, it still creates a buzz whenever anyone sees it. I went to see it in the daytime, but it has a totally different feel at night. To view it during the evening, two other local bloggers have pictures of it here and here.

On the southwest side of LACMA is a small walkway that leads to larger public art pieces. Here, made out of reinforced concrete is “Untitled (for Leo Castelli)” by artist Donald Judd. Simple in its design, the idea of 5 strong blocks standing next to each other creates a space to fill, one to remain empty, or one to look through. The possibilities for interpretation and to enjoy its meanings are endless. Leo Castelli was the legendary art dealer and sponsor of many famous artists:

In 1957, he opened the Leo Castelli Gallery in a townhouse on E. 77th Street between Madison and Fifth Avenues in New York City. Initially the gallery showcased European Surrealism, Wassily Kandinsky, and other European artists. However the gallery also exhibited American Abstract Expressionism. Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, Cy Twombly, Friedel Dzubas, and Norman Bluhm were some artists who were included in group shows.

In 1958 Robert Rauschenberg and Jasper Johns joined the gallery, signaling a turning away from Abstract Expressionism, towards Pop Art, Minimalism and Conceptual Art. From the early 1960s through the late 70s, Frank Stella, Larry Poons, Lee Bontecou, James Rosenquist, Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Robert Morris (artist), Donald Judd, Chryssa, Dan Flavin, Ronald Davis, Bruce Nauman, Ed Ruscha, Salvatore Scarpitta, Richard Serra, Lawrence Weiner and Joseph Kosuth joined the stable of Castelli artists. In the 1970s Leo Castelli opened a downtown SoHo branch of the Leo Castelli Gallery at 420 West Broadway. In the 1980s he opened a second larger downtown exhibition space on Greene Street also in SoHo. Source: Wikipedia

“Decoy” is made out of cast-iron, and it was created in 1990 by artist Martin Puryear. Labeled a “Minimalist” by many in the art community, Pupyear once said, “I looked at it, I tasted it, and I spat it out.” Funny yet brilliant commentary put into sculpture. Pure bliss to be enjoyed, too.

Who knew solid steel could create such an effect? Artist Anthony Caro’s piece entitled “Saddle,” causes feelings of wonder. I wonder how much it has changed since its installation in 1976.

Above is the sculptor and artist Alexander Liberman, who also created“Sisyphus” in Beverly Hills. “Phoenix,” is a 15 ft. high and 11 ft. wide sculpture, comprised of ten bias-cut tubes made of steel, painted orange. It’s dynamic, breathtaking, and visually stunning.

I’ll be showing and bringing you more art from LACMA’s Director’s Roundtable Garden, in the future. Great art is not only inside museums; but on the outside as well.

A Street Corner in Beverly Hills

Lisa Newton — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:31:18 +0000

On one street corner in Beverly Hills, are three unique public works of art–all very different, put together by its artists and sculptors with diverse mediums–with totally different perspectives and points of view .

For the rest, hop over to Ramona Gardens– the oldest public housing project in Los Angeles. Originally built in 1941 with four 2 story buildings, it now encompasses large interlocking streets of similar styled sections of colored townhouse style homes.

For the rest of the story and a lot more photos, try MLAPA.

The Spirit of Los Angeles

Lisa Newton — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 03:05:13 +0000

Close to the entrance of the Grove Shopping Center, on its Main Street, is a magnificent statue by nationally renowned sculptor, De L’Esprie, entitled, “The Spirit of Los Angeles.”

This magnificent bronze statue is a male and a female angel soaring upward. It rests on a multi-footed concrete foundation, surrounded by a small but well tended and colorful flower bed.

Overall, it proudly stands over 32 feet in height, and the angel’s wingspan is 10 feet in length. Scripted at the sculpture’s base is a poem, which expresses many people’s thoughts; including yours truly. Thank you, Noelle Donfeld, for your wonderful words:

“Firmly planted under my feet

Is a land that cries for freedom.

Firmly planted in my heart

Are the people who long to live

As an eagle flies

In boundless skies,

Rising, rising.

I am determined to stand

Tall and strong and free

This is my country, my land;

It’s part of me.

Firmly planted in my fist

Is the seed of my own freedom.

Firmly planted in my will

Is the power to let it grow

Like the winter grain

That fills the plain.

Rising, rising.

I am determined to stand

Tall and strong and free.

This is my country, my land;

It’s part of me.

This is my country, my land

And my destiny “

Los Angeles is full of hidden treasures. Who knows what wise words you’ll find the next time you go shopping while Travelin’ Local.

Discover 2 Blocks in Downtown LA

Lisa Newton — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 03:37:15 +0000

We recently wrote a story about the Fine Arts Building on 8^th street, just east of Figueroa, but we’re far from done. Figueroa Street is a treasure trove of beauty. In this story, we’ve discovered and documented much more art in the public domain. Indeed, its located within a two block radius– from 5^th to 7^thstreets.

On the corner of 5^th and Figueroa is the Salmon Run

Portraying Kodiak bears in their natural habitat, Salmon Run, by artist Christopher Keene, is the only free standing outdoor sculpture in downtown LA depicting animals. With an elevated 8′ pedestal, it’s easier to see and makes for quite a landmark.

This sculpture is literally seen by thousands of people every day. What surprised me the most about Salmon Run was its juxtaposition of animal life, smack-dab in the middle of a dense urban work cluster. But according to Manufacturers Life Insurance Company, “the work symbolizes its ‘commitment to energy and natural resources.’" Source: PublicArtinLA

L.A. Prime Matter

"LA Prime Matter," the brainchild of artist and sculptor Eric Orr, consists of two 32′ high triangular bronze towers at the northwest corner of Wilshire and Figueroa. Orr designed ridges on both sides of its columns, to let the water flow down from the top to form primordial patterns.

This gentleman is chatting on his cell phone, sitting in the forefront of the palm tree neon sculpture, located at the Wilshire Grand Hotel. Designed with a combination of metal and plastic, its cylinder neon bulbs light up at night.

The Harbor Freeway Overture

Measuring 11,000sq ft and created between 1993-1994 by Kent Twitchell, the “Harbor Freeway Overture” includes the then Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra lead violinist and concert master Ralph Morrison, various orchestra members, and Tachi Kiuchi, the CEO of Mitsubishi Electronics of America, the sponsor of the mural.

These four major works of public arts can be found alongside the Bank of America and the Fine Arts Building, between 4^th and 7^th Streets, abutting Figueroa. There’s more to cover and write about so we’ll continue to cover Figueroa’s public art displays again and again. Don’t forget, we previously wrote about the Figueroa Courtyard at 3^rd and Figueroa.

To virtually walk in Travelin’ Local’s footprints, here’s the map of all of the art featured in all of these stories:

A Building that defines Public Art

Lisa Newton — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 04:27:48 +0000

After a lot of time and work, Travelin’ Local has formed a California non-profit corporation– Mapping Los Angeles Public Art, aka “MLAPA.” In addition, we’ve submitted our application to the IRS for our 501c (3) tax exempt status designation.

Because the stated mission of MLAPA is to initiate, compile, and complete a fully digitized, documented, cataloged, indexed, and photographed virtual map of all of the Public Art located throughout Los Angeles County and its surrounding areas, I’ll be featuring all of the future public art posts in excerpt format here on Travelin’ Local, with a link to MLAPA. From that point, you’ll be able to click the link to finish the story.

To continue reading, click here.

Romanesque Revival Architecture in Downtown Los Angeles

Lisa Newton — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 04:07:32 +0000

Los Angeles–the last bastion and frontier of our Republic’s “go west” ethos–can’t tout the cultural, historical, architectural, and political underpinnings that New York City and the Commonwealth states lay first claim to posses; but we are second to none in our important, unique, and historic cultural and historical landmarks.

To understand this, all you have to do is walk around Downtown and you’ll inevitably find an overabundance of a bygone era and artistic heritage that defines our city. This history is typically found within a few blocks of any particular area of Los Angeles, which symbolizes our iconic architecture and public art.

Our past architecture serves as a prelude to our area’s public art and extraordinary design aesthetic, which will be covered in detail in future stories.

Built in 1927, the Fine Arts Building, which is #125 on the Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Landmarks list, picture above–located at 811 7^th Street– is an experience for the eyes, heart, and soul. Each time I looked at it, I was moved by its inherent beauty and essence. It’s an extraordinary building by any measurable standard.

Exploring the details of this special Romanesque Revival Fine Arts Building, explains and demonstrates what makes this building so special.

Originally designed as a haven for the then local artist community, the Fine Arts Building’s upper floors were “devoted to artist studios and workshops. Here gifted tenants were granted an opportunity to create and display their products in a structure which would be, in itself, a work of art.”

On the third floor, you’ll notice two statues on each side of the building. Here, “Sculpture” overseas his domain. Designed by Burt Johnson, “Sculpture’s” companion is

Architecture.” They sit here statuesquely looking out at a city that has grown up around them. If they could speak, I wonder what they would say.

Amazingly, “while working on the artwork for the Fine Arts Building, Johnson had a heart attack. Confined to a wheelchair, he directed his assistants–Merrill Gage, his wife Annetta St. Gaudens, Hall St. Gaudens, and Gilbert Morgan to complete his vision.”

Indeed, the Los Angeles Times celebrated the opening of the Fine Arts Building in late 1926, as a “tribute to the awakening interest in art among Southern California residents and organizations. Three months later, Johnson died at age 37.” Source: PublicArtinLA

It serves as an exceptional example of Romanesque Revival architecture, in which “a style of building employed in the late 19th century, inspired by the 11th and 12th century style of architecture, served as the basis of the Fine Arts Building’s entryway.”

For a top to bottom reproduction of what the entire building looked like, this photo taken in 1933 courtesy of USC via PublicArtinLA, is a defining example:

To enjoy additional vantage point pictures and an outside tour of this building, please view the slideshow below.

Travelin’ Local is a journey into beauty, art, and indeed, history. History to this day, reigns supreme.

Art on the Outside in West Hollywood

Lisa Newton — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 01:22:01 +0000

“Art on the Outside” is a program sponsored by the City of West Hollywood’s Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission.

Continue reading over at MLAPA.org

Finding Public Art at the Figueroa Courtyard in Downtown LA

Lisa Newton — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 10:19:56 +0000

Figueroa Courtyard in Downtown Los Angeles, at the corner of 3^rd and Figueroa, is a unique 5 acre walkway and courtyard. If you want to relax, immerse yourself in the sounds of a running fountain, and enjoy its unique and fascinating public art sculptures and installations, this is where it’s at.

Interestingly enough, I was on my way to somewhere else, when I just happened to stumble upon the Figueroa Courtyard, and I’m glad that I did. Not only does the Courtyard and its public sculptures capture the imagination, they’re fun and quite fascinating.

Sometimes, when Travelin’ Local, I’m amazed at the treasures that can be found just by happening to be at the right time at the right time, or just looking around, which is how I landed smack-dab in the middle of Figueroa Courtyard.

Upon entering the courtyard, and barely visible in this shot, are the waterfalls that stand guard above each side of the sidewalk flowing down from its two sided concrete entrance mount. The molded spheres of different sizes and textures add a three-dimension to the landscape. Here’s a closer shot:

What I found most amazing about this location, was that each time I turned a corner, a new discovery crossed my path:

These whimsical and colorful outdoor installations and sculptures were completed by the artist, Ronald Hines. The well-placed and thought-provoking pieces added a degree and kind of aesthetic that’s rare when you just sit on a park bench, or traverse from or to the office structures. Blending with the landscape, they were aptly appropriate and seemed quite natural, despite their unusual design and structure; perhaps that was the objective of the artist and it certainly accomplishes his goal. I would return in a heartbeat to just sit on one of its park bench’s to enjoy the courtyard and public art. Even though it was very hot the day I was there–the temperature was at least 10 degree cooler inside the courtyard’s landscaped setting.

As I continued my unexpected journey and walk through the courtyard, I found this unique water arrangement:

With its crisscrossing paths of colored tiles, rock formation, round rock spheres, and its rotating fountain streaks of water, its especially appealing for both the eye and mind, as its relaxing sounds of water falling removes you—albeit temporarily—from feeling like you’re still in the big city.

Looking beyond the fountain, the next entry point to enter is the portion of the shaded walkway, with its festivity of plants, trees, and grass:

Continuing along the winding sidewalk, you’ll walk by the perpendicular peppered colored tile designs that gently invite you to move closer toward the area, to the three additional outdoor sculptures by Ronald Hines. His aesthetic is soothing yet allows you to feel itss physical experience, while the various metals, materials, color combination’s, content, and ideas appeal to the psyche. For what is art, but to see what the artist intends for you to see and to ponder?

When you’re ready to leave, the city welcomes you with open arms, ready for our next public art adventure.

With a different location initially in mind, I discovered something totally unque while Travelin’ Local. Now, I have a great excuse to go back to my original destination, so another Figueroa Street story is not far off.