Forbidden Art

So...! There was this one piece, the first piece of public art I am taken to by my gracious guides in Bunker Hill, that, while being public art, was apparently FORBIDDEN! Unfortunately, it was also a favorite of my guide. But, when I tried to take a picture of it, I was scolded by a security guard.

I MEAN REALLY! It's not like I was trying to SELL CRACK COCAINE! Or take off my clothes and SPLASH AROUND LIKE A NUDY BOY in the fountain which held the piece. All I wanted to do was take a picture of it like a PROPER TOURIST. Isn't that part of the purpose of public art? To attract tourism?!

Anywho.... It is a rather nice piece that looks like a double-helix. Or a set of stairways. (There wasn't any water in the fountain ANYWAY! but this is supposed to make it look like it goes on indefinitely.) So this is my interpretation of the sculpture in the context of experiencing it.

P.S. if you would like to see it go here. Apparently, this person could take a picture.

Sculpture: Four Arches

This is an Alexander Calder sculpture called "Four Arches". I love the motion of this piece... and, of course, the Calder Red. From this angle it looks like an erupting volcano.



I also like how elegant something this massive (and it is pretty big) looks against the gigantic skyscrapers in the distance.



The curved arches are reminiscent of Gothic architecture to me. This, with the vibrant orange-red of the steel, makes it a great study of contrasts; heavy, massive materials looking light, fluid and elegant; the muted tones of the surrounding buildings with the vibrancy of the sculpture's color.

Calder was also fascinated by the Circus. One of his early jobs as an artist was to sketch the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey circus. He did sculpture later in his career based on circus themes. Which may be why, when I look at this piece, I ultimately think of an Elephant separated from the Circus parade marching down main street.

Location: Los Angeles, Bunker Hill

Sculpture: Ulysses

I recently took a trip to Los Angeles. One of the goals of this trip was to absorb as much art as possible. So, with the aid of some great tour guides, I went out in search of public art. My friends live close to Bunker Hill in Downtown L.A. So, of course, this post (and others to follow) are from this area.


This is another Alexander Liberman. Thanks to having seen his Olympic Illiad at the Seattle Center, I knew when I saw this piece from a distance, that it was a Liberman. This one's called "Ulysses". Is it named after the Ulysses (Latin name of) the legendary Greek King (Odysseus in Greek)? He's the king who wandered around for 10 years after the Trojan War. I'll have to read more about him, but according to Wikipedia his name could mean "The one who is wrathful/hateful". Interesting.

Or is it named after James Joyce's novel "Ulysses" the story of Leopold Bloom and his travels around Dublin?

Or, Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President of the U.S. who lead the Union in the Civil War?

It's probably named after the Greek King (given the name of his other work in Seattle). I, however, think this piece should be called Metallica, since it's made of heavy metal and looks like an electric guitar thrust into the ground. Also, when I think of L.A. I think of heavy metal bands from the 80s with their teased out hair, skin-tight jeans, and pointy guitars... Or, I think of Gidget and the Beach Boys.

Hey it's possible (just not probable)! Metallica started in 1981 and this statue is dated 1988.

Again, I love how Liberman is able to take these massive, heavy forms and make them seem as if they are floating in space; re-organizing themselves.

Location: Bunker Hill, Los Angeles