Under the Dangling Orbs

Pavilion at the entry to the California Science Center

I don't know what the golden balls signify, but they sure are pretty. ;-)

Enjoy!!!

The Wind and the Tree

Mariah "Spirit of the Wind" by Frank Mando


For the third year, the Manhattan Beach Sculpture Garden is exhibiting new works of art. While visiting the Civic Center, I came across a couple of them.

So, I snapped a few photos to share with you all. ;-)

The Tree Hugger by Steven Rieman

You can't tell from the photo, but The Tree Hugger is a kinetic sculpture, which shifts in the wind. On the day that I took these pictures, it was fairly calm and didn't put on much of a show of motion. Oh well, maybe next time. . .

Wyland's Whaling Wall #31

Detail of Gray Whale Migration mural (1991) by Robert Wyland


Los Angeles is noted for being a city full of murals. I noticed that this blog is a bit light on showing such public art. So, here's a post to remedy the situation. ;-)

Wyland's work can be found all over the coast of California. Fortunately, we have a pretty cool mural over in Redondo Beach, the Gray Whale Migration. It was painted in 1991, the 31st of 100 murals that Wyland executed upon this theme. It was recently touched up to celebrate the twentieth anniversary.

I like how it captures the "Save the Whales" vibe of the era. It's an example of the developing "eco-consciousness" within the popular culture of the late 1980s and early 1990s.

South wall segment of Gray Whale Migration (1991) by Wyland.

And, most importantly, the Gray Whale Migration is an interesting image. Compositionally, it fits well along the building's western and southern walls.

Dragon, Goddess, and Osprey at the Library

Frank Mando's Pele - Fire Goddess on display at the Manhattan Beach Civic Plaza

Continuing on my public art viewing, I visited the sculpture garden at the Manhattan Beach Civic Center. Over the past couple of years, there have been year long exhibitions of sculptures in front of the library, police department and at the entry to the civic plaza. It really enhances the public space.

Here are some photos of the five at the plaza.

Osprey by Maria T. de Castro