Artist:
Dora de Larios
Title:
The Elements
Year:
1989
Adress:
Bamboo Plaza
www.crala.org:
Three brass panels, installed 13' above the ground, suggest a traditional style as a result of the block-like steps where they join the columns. Both sides of the panels are valued in Chinese culture. Horizontal lines at the bottom of each panel, symbolizing still water, tie the entire composition together.
Still water above the triangles is again symbolized by a section of horizontal lines. The 14' 6" l center panel is dominated by a 5th century bamboo motif de Larios found in a book of Chinese screens.
Artist Dora de Larios designed a gateway for the main Broadway Street entrance of this multi-storied retail project. In the two 7' l outer panels, undulating lines represent moving water and the sequence of triangles symbolize mountains.
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Bamboo is symbolic in China for peace, security and prosperity and because it can withstand gale force winds, it is also symbolic of integrity and high moral courage. According to De Larios, the "numerology of the bamboo motif was critical to the Lee family [the developer of Bamboo Plaza]. They needed a certain number of bamboo patterns...on [the] gateway for luck and strength." As a result, the bamboo is represented in a sequence of seven identical patterns because seven is a positive number. De Larios recommended a panel be installed over the Bamboo Lane entrance. This 6' x 6' panel is divided between horizontal lines representing still water, and the bamboo motif.
Dora De Larios was invited by the architect of Bamboo Plaza, George Puljac of Associated Architects and Planners, to design a gateway for the main entrance of the multistoried retail project. Rather than create a traditional free-standing p'ai-lou gateway, De Larios integrated her gateway into the pillars framing the building's Broadway street entrance. Three brass panels, installed 13' above the ground, suggest a traditional style by the block-like steps where they join the columns. The art is further linked with the architecture by strips of brass at the corners of the pillars. De Larios embellished both sides of the panels with symbolic and stylized representations of elements valued in Chinese culture. Horizontal lines at the bottom of each panel, symbolizing still water, tie the entire composition together. In the two 7' long outer panels, undulating lines represent moving water and the sequence of triangles symbolize mountains. Still water above the triangles is again symbolized by a section of horizontal lines. The 14'6" long center panel is dominated by a 5th century bamboo motif De Larios found in a book of Chinese screens.
www.crala.org:
One of America’s leading clay artists, Dora de Larios strives to harmonize the animal and the spiritual in intimate ceramic pieces and massive mixed-media commissions. De Larios’ international appeal can be attributed to her ability to translate universal human dilemmas into mystical and transformative works of art. De Larios grew up with an appreciation for both native Mexican mythology and Catholicism. These influences are apparent through her frequent use of gold leafing, polished and textured metals, and imaginative portrayals of the human and animal form. Since 1959, de Larios has been featured in numerous one-person gallery shows, group invitational shows, and juried museum exhibitions throughout the United States including exhibitions at the Museum of Contemporary Crafts, New York; Renwick Gallery, Washington, D.C.; Craft and Folk Art Museum, Los Angeles; and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Three brass panels, installed 13' above the ground, suggest a traditional style as a result of the block-like steps where they join the columns. Both sides of the panels are valued in Chinese culture. Horizontal lines at the bottom of each panel, symbolizing still water, tie the entire composition together.
Still water above the triangles is again symbolized by a section of horizontal lines. The 14' 6" l center panel is dominated by a 5th century bamboo motif de Larios found in a book of Chinese screens.
Artist Dora de Larios designed a gateway for the main Broadway Street entrance of this multi-storied retail project. In the two 7' l outer panels, undulating lines represent moving water and the sequence of triangles symbolize mountains.
www.publicartinla.com:
Bamboo is symbolic in China for peace, security and prosperity and because it can withstand gale force winds, it is also symbolic of integrity and high moral courage. According to De Larios, the "numerology of the bamboo motif was critical to the Lee family [the developer of Bamboo Plaza]. They needed a certain number of bamboo patterns...on [the] gateway for luck and strength." As a result, the bamboo is represented in a sequence of seven identical patterns because seven is a positive number. De Larios recommended a panel be installed over the Bamboo Lane entrance. This 6' x 6' panel is divided between horizontal lines representing still water, and the bamboo motif.
Dora De Larios was invited by the architect of Bamboo Plaza, George Puljac of Associated Architects and Planners, to design a gateway for the main entrance of the multistoried retail project. Rather than create a traditional free-standing p'ai-lou gateway, De Larios integrated her gateway into the pillars framing the building's Broadway street entrance. Three brass panels, installed 13' above the ground, suggest a traditional style by the block-like steps where they join the columns. The art is further linked with the architecture by strips of brass at the corners of the pillars. De Larios embellished both sides of the panels with symbolic and stylized representations of elements valued in Chinese culture. Horizontal lines at the bottom of each panel, symbolizing still water, tie the entire composition together. In the two 7' long outer panels, undulating lines represent moving water and the sequence of triangles symbolize mountains. Still water above the triangles is again symbolized by a section of horizontal lines. The 14'6" long center panel is dominated by a 5th century bamboo motif De Larios found in a book of Chinese screens.
www.crala.org:
One of America’s leading clay artists, Dora de Larios strives to harmonize the animal and the spiritual in intimate ceramic pieces and massive mixed-media commissions. De Larios’ international appeal can be attributed to her ability to translate universal human dilemmas into mystical and transformative works of art. De Larios grew up with an appreciation for both native Mexican mythology and Catholicism. These influences are apparent through her frequent use of gold leafing, polished and textured metals, and imaginative portrayals of the human and animal form. Since 1959, de Larios has been featured in numerous one-person gallery shows, group invitational shows, and juried museum exhibitions throughout the United States including exhibitions at the Museum of Contemporary Crafts, New York; Renwick Gallery, Washington, D.C.; Craft and Folk Art Museum, Los Angeles; and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.