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 Kent Twitchell, “Six L.A. Artists”, |
Excerpts from an article of August 28th reported by Jasmine Lee, staff writer for the Daily Breeze form the basis for this update.--Ed. “Six L.A. Artists” is a 1978 work by Kent Twitchell on the state Employment Development Department building at 1220 Engracia Ave. facing Torrance Boulevard. Because the department's programs there have grown, the agency plans to move out and the state will either find another use for the property or sell it. The painting is not in bad shape for an artwork exposed to the elements for more than 20 years. But it could be destroyed if the state or a new owner choose to remodel the building. |
| In a preemptive move, the city of Torrance is asking the Employment Development Department for permission to clean, touch up and put a protective coat on the mural. City officials say that a property owner would probably not destroy the wall to remodel the building if the art is restored to its original state. Torrance City Council last week unanimously voted to move forward with efforts to restore the work and is looking for a community group to collect donations for the estimated $5,700 project. Fundraising is set to begin this month. “Six L.A. Artists,” depicts a half-dozen of Twitchell's contemporaries, all fellow graduates of the Otis Art Institute in Los Angeles. The painted wall is a bright spot for those who drive or walk by, said Torrance resident Tom Tanza. “Whenever we go down there . . . there's this wonderful mural,” said Tanza, a Cultural Arts Commission member and a part of the city's art in public places committee. Artist Twitchell had been concerned when months ago he learned that the Employment Development Department was considering adding windows to the wall he had painted. That plan has since been scuttled, but the future of the mural is still not certain. The Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles is prepared to get involved in the restoration and maintenance efforts on the Torrance mural, said Robin Dunitz, vice president of the nonprofit group that preserves murals and educates people about public art. “I think the whole community is becoming more aware of the need to take into account the ongoing care of murals, not just the producing of them,” said Dunitz. The city has contacted Nathan Zakheim, an internationally known mural conservator, to conduct the restoration work on Twitchell's mural. Using a new technique [see “Brig” article, this page--Ed.], he can “pretty much guarantee that the mural will not fall apart for 100, 200 years.” The challenge, he said, will be discovering the origins of a clear substance that coats the wall. No one--not the city, the state or the artist--knows who applied the glaze. He would like to figure out what the coating is so he can determine how best to treat it. Properly preserving the mural will ensure that the public will continue to enjoy the art. Says Zakheim, “The problem, of course, is that people don't protect what they have when they have it.” |
“BRIG” MURAL RESTORATION A FIRSTby Art Mortimer with Bill Lasarow |
| For the third, and perhaps last time in our lifetime Art Mortimer’s “Brandelli’s Brig” mural in Venice has been restored. The building's owners, David and Nancy Paris did a major renovation and remodeling of the entire building, which has now been updated and modernized. The Paris’ decided not only to keep the mural but to make it the centerpiece of their remodeling. So they have constructed a structure of beams and girders along the top and down the right side of the mural, are putting dramatic lighting on it, as well as colored paving in the parking lot in front of the mural--all things designed to enhance and feature the mural. |
 Art Mortimer on the scaffolding |
| As the mural, last restored in 1989, was getting ragged in places Mortimer and Nathan Zakheim were brought in to restore it. Zakheim rejuvenated the existing paint and re-attached the mural to the wall in places where it was loose or bubbling. Mortimer retouched the areas where paint had flaked off, been discolored by the elements, or where old paint had seeped through. Finally, Zakheim returned to spray the entire mural to make sure the retouched areas were firmly anchored to the old paint, and give a final protective coat to the entire surface. According to Zakheim the newly consolidated paint surface should resist noticable deterioration for 100-200 years. The techniques used for the first time here will be addressed in a later “Mural Doctor” column. Zakheim has indicated his opinion that the “Brig” mural should serve as a model for long term mural restoration projects in the future. |
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All murals located within the City of Los Angeles, whether on public or private property, and whether City-sponsored or painted by independent artists or organizations, must obtain final approval from the Cultural Affairs Commission before they are executed.
The procedure for approval of murals is as follows: (1) Obtain an application from the Murals Coordinator at the City of Los Angeles, Cultural Affairs Department. Applications may be mailed or faxed by calling (213) 485-9570 to request a Mural Application. (2) Schedule an appointment to submit Mural Application and all necessary support documents to the Cultural Affairs Deptartment. (3) Once submitted murals are placed on the next Public Art Committee meeting agenda, attend Public Art Committee meeting and answer any questions about the project. (4) Attend Cultural Affairs Commission meeting and answer any questions about the project. Obtain conceptual and final approval from the Commission. Joe Smoke Public Art Coordinator, L.A. Cultural Affairs Department |
