by Dot Cannon
Where did the summer go?
With Autumn 2015 here, there’s good news. If all the heat kept you from seeing “The Nature of Sculpture” this summer, you still have time to do that.
“The Nature of Sculpture” is a highly-creative exhibit throughout the grounds of the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, in which dozens of local sculptors use a wide range of media both to make a statement, and to complement the work’s natural surroundings.
One post couldn’t possibly do justice to this exhibition. So here are a very few of our favorites from a white-hot day, last July, when docent and mixed-media artist/photographer Bob Tager was kind enough to give us a tour.
This is “Pinata”, by Oscar Magellanes. Notice how the work picks up on the natural plant shapes behind it.
“Abundance”, by Russell Ruff, has a perfect echo of its colors in the sky and surroundings. (Talking with Russell, that same afternoon, he said he saw himself as a “maker”, rather than an artist. We definitely see the work of an artist here, though!)
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“Carlos the Coyote”, by Cathy Garcia, works with the colors of the foliage around it.
Meanwhile, Walter Askin found inspiration for his “The Sentinel” in the shapes of the tall plants around it. (He also makes it look very matter-of-fact and easy! However, in an earlier interview, Walter shared the story of creating this piece. “Easy” does not apply here!)
The L.A. Arboretum’s grounds are full of these. However, Bob said the peacocks aren’t there simply for aesthetic reasons.
“When Lucky Baldwin bought Rancho Santa Anita (in 1875), it was overrun with snakes, ” Bob explained. “Peacocks eat snakes.”
Indeed, nary a slitherer was in sight during our visit. And we had a very enjoyable time–as you will, too. There’s no way you’ll wind up with just one favorite. Other possible contenders, though, would include…
…Raul de La Sota’s “The Chumash, Anasazi, Aztec Choir”, which uses cactus shapes to create heaven, earth and an underworld.
A nearby placard explains that symbols from three indigenous cultures appear in the work.
James B. Marshall’s “Sea Scape” was another we really enjoyed.
Detail work and a lot of imagination gave this one a sense of fun.
And D. Lester Williams’ “We’ve Got It, Let’s Go” was laugh-out-loud whimsical.
(The work is superb, and we hope the artist has better luck–and no uninvited guests–at the next picnic.)
“The Nature of Sculpture” exhibit, at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, has been extended till Wednesday, October 21. The Arboretum is located at 301 North Baldwin Avenue, north of Stanford Drive, in Arcadia. Here’s the link for hours and more information.