BERGAMOT STATION — In an effort to save Pulitzer-Prize winner Paul Conrad's sculpture "Chain Reaction," the famous cartoonist's family will be auctioning off a bronze sculpture he made of civil rights icon Martin Luther King, Jr., along with a hand-signed cartoon.
All proceeds from the auction will go toward the restoration of the iconic 26-foot-tall mushroom cloud art piece that has stood in the Santa Monica Civic Center since 1991.
A structural engineer in September said the art piece is in need of repairs and regular maintenance, which may cost more than the City Council is willing to spend. Originally it was thought that the sculpture's structure had deteriorated and may collapse. Original estimates for repair were between $227,000 and $423,000.
The Conrad family, along with activist Jerry Rubin, have been leading a fundraising effort to keep the sculpture in place. Those interested in donating to the cause can send a check payable to the Santa Monica Arts Foundation, Cultural Affairs Division — Chain Reaction, P.O. Box 2200, Santa Monica, Calif., 90407-2200.
The arts foundation is a nonprofit so donations are tax deductible.
The auction is scheduled for noon on Nov. 11 at Bergamot Station, Building C, Santa Monica Auctions, 2525 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica.
For more information visit www.smauctions.com/
kevinh@www.smdp.com
