MARC PALLY

Rising 94 feet high, "Rainbow" by Tony Tasset speaks to the sense of optimism and well-being associated with rainbows in general and more specifically with the rainbow as imagined in the iconic "Wizard of Oz" film, created in the very movie studio that is now home to “Rainbow”. Tasset’s sculpture, commissioned by Sony Pictures Entertainment for its Culver City lot, celebrates popular culture and at the same participates in the fine art tradition, particularly the Light and Space movement that is associated with Southern California. Rainbows are pure light, prismatic wonders that appear due to fortuitous combinations of moisture and solar rays. The sculpture is steel but represents an ephemeral phenomenon. “Rainbow” salutes all art that is based on light, including the work of Robert Irwin and James Turrell as well as the films of Hollywood, whose light-based medium is the foundation of global popular culture.

"Sliver", by Christian Moeller, anchors a long sight line north along the Third Street Promenade into the newly renovated Santa Monica Place. The sculpture is a 21st century obelisk, a towering exclamation mark on the landscape, a totem pole of hidden and revealed information. With LEDs placed behind a layer of opaque glass, Sliver’s light dances and changes patterns constantly as it receives data feeds directly from a variety of cable news stations. Unlike the full screen of data we normally receive, with this light sculpture we only have access to a sliver of information.

“Remembering Walter H. Deubner” by Brian Tolle graces the entry to a shopping center owned by Macerich. Tolle addresses the nature of shopping in the content of the sculpture by using the image of the first shopping bag, designed by St. Paul merchant Walter H. Deubner in 1912. The 20 foot tall stainless steel sculpture is a three-dimensional line drawing, allowing visual access to the building beyond while defining the small plaza in front of it. A system of LEDs placed in recessed channels runs throughout the sculpture allowing infinite variety in the selection of colors.

"Waterline" by McCarren/Fine (Barbara McCarren and Jud Fine) brings a narrative component to the design of The Strand, a hotel and retail complex on Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach. Situated almost adjacent to the historic Huntington Beach Pier, "Waterline" incorporates ideas of convergence of land and sea into sculptural and integrated design elements. Client: CIM Group, Inc.

"Whole Flow" by Buster Simpson is a sculpture that aerates gray water transforming it into a useable resource for landscape purposes. Condensation from the building's refrigeration unit is brought to the sculpture where it descends from bowl to bowl thus increasing oxygen content in the water allowing it to meet health standards for distribution to landscaping. Client: Bellevue Center.

Gwynn Murrill created several artworks for The Montana, a mixed-use project on Colorado Blvd. in the heart of Pasadena. Inspired by the native wildlife of the adjacent San Gabriel mountains, Murrill uses imagery carved into the building and in bronze sculpture. Sightlines from The Montana to the San Gabriel mountains create linkage to the habitat of the animals represented in the artwork. Year in Review Citation, Best Public Art 2008, PAN (Public Art Network)/Americans for the Arts. Client: Nakada + Partners Architects.

Christian Moeller's "Mojo" is located within the recessed corner of a mixed-use complex in downtown San Pedro, CA, several blocks from the Los Angeles Harbor. Combining references to the robotic cargo moving equipment of the Port and the historic Pt. Fermin lighthouse, "Mojo" is an interactive sculpture that uniquely addresses its site. Year in Review Citation, Best Public Art 2007, PAN (Public Art Network)/Americans for the Arts. Clients: CIM Group, Inc and Lee homes.

Bob Zoell's project for the indoor parking for Ralph's supermarket uses a custom tile treatment, creating an unique and sly graphic overlay to the generic space. The transformation into a 3-D punctuation and typology symbol-fest, helps to signify the resurrection of downtown LA and its first supermarket in 50 years. Clients: CIM Group, Inc and Lee Homes.

"FaceTime" by Steve Appleton is an interactive installation located in a mixed-use project in the heart of Hollywood at Sunset and Vine. "FaceTime" embodies the allure of Hollywood by inviting the public to have "head shots" captured and eventually displayed on a large wall. Live and stored images are beamed onto the wall via a projector that roams much like kleig lights in the night sky. Year in Review Citation, Best Public Art 2006, PAN (Public Art Network)/Americans for the Arts. Client: BlackRock.

Reneé Green and Alan Rath were selected to create artworks for key interior spaces in the Caltrans headquarters in downtown Los Angeles. Both artists used aspects of advanced technology, with Rath's piece being activated by a computer panel and Green's piece containing a web-based component. Both projects required extensive coordination provided by Morphosis Architects and the entire design/build team of Clark Construction. Client: California Department of Transporation.

As a major new building in Pittsburgh, the David L. Lawrence Convention Center was conceived as a practical, aesthetic and sustainable model of the highest standards. An art program placed commissioned artworks by 7 artists and purchased artworks by 20 artists in multiple locations. Co-consultant: Carol Goldstein. Client: Sports and Exhibition Authority.

Roman de Salvo and the team of Einar and Jamex de la Torre were commissioned to create original work for the Caltrans headquarters in San Diego. Artworks respond to the mission and purpose of Caltrans while also offering the public dynamic visual experiences. Client: California Department of Transportation.

"Orange Grove Fountain" by Meg Cranston is sited in downtown Brea. Cranston responded to a community charrette that listed inviting street amenities and images responsive to Brea's history as top priorities. Cranston's artwork offers a whimsical and charming nod to Brea's citrus industry and at the same time creates a sculptural fountain that activates street life. "Best Public Art 2000", Architecture Foundation of Orange County. Client: CIM Group, Inc.

San Francisco Civic Center Complex includes the Earl Warren Building, a Beaux Arts historic building, and a 14 story addition designed by SOM. The Art Program includes commissions for public art in both the historic and new buildings and a purchase program of existing work for public and limited-access spaces. Co-consultant: Michele de Angeleus. Client: State of California and HSH Design/Build.

Honda Center, originally named Arrowhead Pond at Anaheim, is a 16,000 seat multi-purpose arena, built by the City of Anaheim. A public art program was devised to place thoughtful and exciting art within the context of the dynamic spectacles programmed for the arena. Client: City of Anaheim.

Three artists (Daniel Martinez, Nobi Nagasawa and Buster Simpson) were commissioned to work with the design team to create integrated artworks and design features for a two-block long section of downtown Anaheim. Artworks were developed to reflect aspects of Anaheim's history as well as to create engaging social spaces. The entire art program was awarded "Best Public Art of 1995" by the Architecture League of Orange County. Client: City of Anaheim and Koll Company.