OLYMPIC BLVD — This week three fluid bronze, biomorphic sculptures from artist Herb Alpert's "Black Totems" series were installed along the east median of Olympic Boulevard at 26th Street to help enliven the busy thoroughfare and extend Bergamot Station Arts Center's presence, city officials said.
The sculptures are on loan for a year and are located near the future home of the Exposition Light Rail Line station. During the planning process for the Bergamot area, many community members expressed a desire to call attention to the art activities at Bergamot Station during the Expo construction, which is currently underway, city officials said Friday.
The installation, aside from its notable aesthetic contribution to the neighborhood, helps to address that issue, city officials said. The Santa Monica Arts Commission approved the installation as a pilot project with the hope of initiating a future series of temporary installations in the Olympic median.
Alpert is a world-renowned musician, composer, artist and philanthropist, whose foundation, located in Santa Monica, supports emerging artists in all mediums through the annual Alpert Award in the Arts, as well as creative development opportunities for young people, including a number of arts education initiatives.
Alpert's collection of new paintings and sculptures are on view through June 8 at the Robert Berman Galley at Bergamot Station, Suite B7. For more information, call (310) 315-1937.
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