Ten was the magic number for local art enthusiasts earlier this month: the Century City Arts & Culture Foundation and the Century City Chamber of Commerce Arts Council held a press conference on March 10 at 10 am to celebrate its second public art exhibition that features 10 artists.
Titled “Century City Sculpture 2015,” the art exhibition spotlights the encounter between art and the public realm, which befits the Arts Council’s mission to enhance the quality of the lives in Century City by bringing art to the community.
New eye-catching additions have been gradually added to the neighborhood as large, bold pieces of modern abstract art have been installed throughout Century City one by one. Showcasing a total of 19 pieces, Century City Sculpture 2015 was officially launched at the March 10 press conference with a number of Los Angeles city dignitaries in attendance. Alongside Century City Arts Council representatives stood Paul Koretz, Los Angeles City Councilman for District 5, as well as Roz Wyman, Los Angeles’ former City Councilwoman for District 5 and newly appointed Los Angeles County Arts Commissioner.
According to Susan Bursk, President and CEO of Century City Chamber of Commerce, Century City Sculpture 2015 was the result of the “vision and passion and sheer determination of members of the Arts Council,” as it was a “tremendous effort” to assemble 19 pieces of art from 10 different artists.
“These public art exhibitions add a little something extra to Century City,” Bursk said. “The neighborhood is now not only a place to eat, work, and shop, but also a place to enjoy art and culture.”
The art exhibition was completed largely due to the efforts of Jean Tardy-Vallernaud, Chair of the Arts Council and President of the CC Arts & Culture Foundation, and Carl Schlosberg, Chair of the Sculpture Committee and the exhibit curator.
“Why art? – because we all need another dimension which often is absent from our daily lives,” Tardy-Vallernaud said. “Art brings out our best abilities and our highest virtues in our inner selves.”
The endeavors of the Arts Council have been met “with unprecedented support” from the community, she said.
“[Our supporters] come from all corners of this community, including permanent residents, private individuals, law firms, financial institutions, the hospitality industry, building owners, art dealers, and the Century City Bid,” Tardy-Vallernaud said.
Carl Schlosberg “relentlessly sought the artists, the art, and the locations,” according to Tardy-Vallernaud.
“It means a great deal to have our community come together,” Schlosberg said. “It’s been one of the most gratifying benefits of this subject. The community has been able to penetrate this very sophisticated, complex world of business, finance, and entertainment and have been brought into the fold of supporting art.”
Schlosberg described art as a form of salvation, a force that can “raise our spirits, give us insight, and provoke our imagination.”
According to Koretz, a self-proclaimed fan of public art, Century City Sculpture 2015 aligns with Schlosberg’s perspective of art.
“The public art that we celebrate today will intrigue and inspire countless lives,” Koretz said. “Century City is already a remarkable success story – and public art is the cherry on top of all that accomplishment. The fact that you want public art and you make it a reality really is a window to the soul and shows why this area has achieved the greatness that it has. The same determined spirit of creative genius has shaped the commercial landscape of Century City.”
Koretz also presented certificates for the artists and a number of other individuals and entities, including the Century City Chamber of Commerce.
According to the Arts Council, Century City Sculpture 2015 features “the works of 10 nationally and internationally renowned artists” Ken Bortolazzo, David Buckingham, Jeffrey Laudenslager, Mark Lere, Marlene Louchheim, Bret Price, Peter Shelton, Michael Todd, Edoardo Villa, and Matt Wedel.
Among some of the pieces of art on Century City’s largest streets are Laudenslager’s three 22-foot titanium and stainless steel sculptures, Louchheim’s two-part bronze and silver nickel sculpture sculpture, and Price’s 30-foot sculpture all located on Avenue of the Stars.
10100 Santa Monica Boulevard, also known as the Hines property, features Todd’s two bronze and steel sculptures, Shelton’s cast iron sculpture, Lere’s mixed media works, and Wedel’s ceramic works throughout the lobby, west garden, and front grass area.
The Equity Office Building at 1999 Avenue of the Stars houses Villa’s female reclining figure, whereas Constellation Place boasts Price’s bold, bright red sculpture.
Another one of Price’s works is located in front of the Watt Plaza on Century Park East alongside Buckingham’s colorful steel sculpture. Bortolazzo’s stainless steel artwork can be also viewed at 2029-2049 Century Park East in front of the Century Plaza Towers.
Century City Sculpture 2015 is supported and funded by several stakeholders of Century City. This public art exhibition will be on display through the year. Sculpture tours, lectures, and events will be available soon and announced at a later date.
For more information, call 310.553.2222 or visit centurycitycc.com.
