Clear Head

I have been exploring the streets of L.A. (and loving it BTW) for a few years now.  I love when I come upon art in places I least expect it or that simply moves me.  While a photo can't really stand in for seeing the real thing with one's own eyes (in my own interesting opinion), at least by once and for all starting this and doing this, with this blog I can acknowledge the artists for their creations...let her, him or them know it has been seen and appreciated (even if I never find out who they be).

So...with that in mind, I offer this thought provoking piece I found on my recent trip to downtown L.A. for the Art Walk L.A.  My Art Walk L.A. ended up being something way different than what I expected, but that...perhaps...is another story for another time.

I wish my photo had turned out better.  At this point it is what it is.  So I make it large here with the hope it will be easier to discern the components of this piece.

Is this a head that is clear?  Is the water representative of what will clear the head?  And what about the markings?  

What's the 411?

So, where can you see this art piece if you are so inclined?  

Did you guess at the public library?  

That's right!  Outside of a Los Angeles Public Library.  The Flower Street side of the historic Central Library Goodhue Building.  (This photo is of the Hope Street entrance.  I also happen to love books and actually took this photo for the inscription, "books invite all they constrain none".)

Now here is the interesting thing (at least for me), I googled this art installation every which way to Sunday and did not come up with any information about it.  Boo hoo!  I would so love to acknowledge the artiste.

Not content to come up short, I decided there must be some information...some other way...some way to find out who created this piece. 

Turns out in 2001 this library was renamed to honor former Los Angeles Mayor, Richard Riordan, as the Richard Riordan Central Library, 630 West 5th Street.

This trail led me to understand that this piece I am referring to as "Clear Head" is actually part of a bigger sculptural installation (of which this piece is included) known as "Spine " created by Jud Fine in 1993.  The area on the Flower side of the library is known as Maguire Gardens.  The portion of "Spine" I am referring to in this blog post is known as the "Clear Fountain".


The spout of "Clear Fountain" is a generic female head made out of stainless steel. The well features incised images which are drawn from the female head's collar and from pictographs which represent female signs drawn from around the world. 

Bravo, Jud Fine.  Bravo. 

end of posting fine print:  all photos are copyright 2012 Lori J. Bjork, lbjork9999@yahoo.com