Astronomers Monument - Los Angeles, CA - Smithsonian Art Inventory Sculptures on Waymarking.com

This monument was a WPA project and recognizes the biggest names in astronomical achievements: Copernicus, Galileo, William Hershel, Hipparchus & Kepler.

The remarks from the Smithsonian Inventory site indicate (visit link) :

" Funded through the Public Works of Art Project (PWAP) and the City of Los Angeles. The Women's Auxiliary of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce funded the construction materials. The PWAP sponsored a competition, and on March 13, 1934, the Los Angeles Parks Commission chose the monument design by Archibald Garner. Five local sculptors were then chosen to create the astronomers in keeping with Garner's Art Deco design. Archibald Garner sculpted the figure of Copernicus. The monument was created concurrently with the Griffith Observatory and Planetarium. Studio space was provided for the artists in the completed lower level of the observatory building, and all work was done on site. It is presumed that the monument was cast by the same firm contracted for the construction of the observatory building. The original armillary sphere, which is in storage at the observatory, was made of cast stone covered with a metal alloy foil (lead, tin, and copper). In 1989, after five decades of exposure to the elements, the seriously eroded armillary sphere was removed during renovation of the monument. In the spring of 1991, a new cast bronze replacement sphere was installed atop the monument. Errors in the original armillary sphere were corrected in the replacement. The new sphere was cast by Gasser Olds Foundry. IAS files contain an undated article by the designer's son, Jeff Garner, and related newsclippings."

TITLE: Astronomers Monument ARTIST(S): Archibald Garner, Roger Noble Burnham, George Stanley, Gordon B. Newell, Djey el Djey, Arnold Foerster DATE: 11/25/1934 MEDIUM: Sculpture: cast concrete with cast bronze armillary sphere; Base: concrete. CONTROL NUMBER: IAS CA000442 Direct Link to the Individual Listing in the Smithsonian Art Inventory: [Web Link] PHYSICAL LOCATION: 2800 East Observatory Road Los Angeles, CA 90027 DIFFERENCES NOTED BETWEEN THE INVENTORY LISTING AND YOUR OBSERVATIONS AND RESEARCH: Seems to be well maintained.

Visit Instructions:
Please give the date of your visit, your impressions of the sculpture, and at least ONE ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH. Add any additional information you may have, particularly any personal observations about the condition of the sculpture.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log   09/19/2021 wicked witch of the west coast visited it 07/09/2016 alynx visited it 01/04/2015 MC_Dahm visited it 08/09/2014 DopeyDuck visited it 01/13/2013 bluesnote visited it 09/25/2012 green ducks visited it 01/13/2011 DougK visited it 04/17/2010 Metro2 visited it

View all visits/logs