By Beckett Navarrette
Staff Writer
Manhattan Beach Residents were able to take a tour of six unique sculpture during the fifth annual MB Sculpture Garden Program on Jan. 7 at the MB Art Center.
The Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission created the Sculpture Garden Program to enhance Community Setting and to allow artists to have their artwork on display in a high profile city, whether or not they are from here.
“I like this year’s group because we opened the competition nationally and many artists ended up coming from California and one even from Manhattan beach,” Manhattan Beach Cultural Art Manager Martin Betz Said.
Artists across the United States started their projects on Jan. 9, 2014 when they submitted their initial proposals to the Cultural Arts Commission. On Jan. 9, 2015 the sculptors submitted electronic design concepts and the CIty Council chose six out of the 26 proposals were chosen.
“It is hard to get accepted because you have to be voted in by the Cultural Arts Commission and then again by the City Council,” Betz said. “You also have to make sure your project fit the parameters of the program.”
The sculpture depicted animals, machines, hybrids, and various other objects. Former rock “Roadie” Jimmy Descant created one such machine sculpture and dubbed it “Reverse Prometheus”.Jimmy was a “Roadie” for 15 years for bands, such as Motorhead and Indigo Girls before vintage american machines inspired him to create americana sculptures that speak to us on a higher level.
“This piece’s title refers to Prometheus, who stole fire from Zeus and gave it to Mankind. I give back to the gods that fire,” Descant said. “I want people to see and feel that ascension of Man’s soul and artistic tendencies. To cry and to laugh.”
Two of the sculptors, Margaret R Lazzari and her public art partner Lauren Evans, took great inspiration from Manhattan Beach’s wildlife, to create a sculpture of the common Great Egrets that live in MB year round.
“The sculpture represents three great (common) egrets, which are year-around residents in the Manhattan Beach area, and all along much of the West Coast.” Evans said. “We show them flying away from clumps of reeds, where they forage for food. Our arrangement emphasizes the elegance of these fabulous birds.”
The Sculpture Garden Program is one of many projects the Cultural Arts Commission has initiated in order to add life to the city. The other projects, such as the Light Gate, the Percent for the Arts, and the Strand Alcove Bench Program allowed artists to share their art with the public.
“We entered the Manhattan Beach Sculpture Exhibition because we enjoy sharing our one of a kind creations with the general public,” Sculptor Rick Randall said. “It introduces the public to who we are and the kind of artwork we can create. It’s a great way to advertise our business, Randall Art Ranch.”
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