Fine Arts
Los Angeles Fine Arts Building
"Form follows function" may be a cliche nowadays, one that's parroted in chic commercials for high-end, luxury sedans, but at some point, before the phrase devolved into a catchphrase for Cadillacs, it had real meaning. The architects who designed and built the Los Angeles Fine Arts Building knew what it meant, and they applied that philosophy to their stunning 12-story masterpiece in the city of angels. That is to say, the design of the Fine Arts Building not only enriches the architecture, but it gives voice to the activities of the building's original tenants (Several, 1999). It is the purpose of this paper to discuss the elements of architectural style in the Los Angeles Fine Arts Building.
But first, here is a brief history of the men behind the masterpiece. The Los Angeles Fine Arts Building was designed by the acclaimed duo of Walker & Eisen; that is Albert R. Walker and Percy A. Eisen. It was built in 1925, during the roaring twenties, a time of unprecedented urban growth and construction, and is located at 811 West 7th Street in downtown Los Angeles. The Building was designed to be more than just a building, but a cultural Mecca for artists, bohemians, and other visionaries of Los Angeles (Several, 1999). The ultimate goal of Walker & Eisen was to create an ideal place (one that was a work of art in and of itself) where people could create, showcase and enjoy art.
The first thing one notices about the Fine Arts Building is its Romanesque style. Even if one doesn't know the term "Romanesque" he/she knows that this building is different. This building is not created equal. It's clear, given its context,...
The carefully wrought, semi-circular, two-story arch of the facade tell the visitor that he/she is about to experience something special.
Upon closer inspection, this sensation is only accented by the present but not imposing architectural sculptures on the building's exterior. On the terracotta arch itself the visitor is confronted by an array of different stylized birds, griffins, gargoyles, and flowers. On other parts of the facade there are sculptures of flute players and other assorted fantastic creatures (Several 1999). It can be argued that this attention to detail is not something a resident of Los Angeles is used to seeing manifested in local architecture.
These details continue on. Both as one looks up the towering edifice and as one prepares to enter its mouth. There are two large terracotta figures representing "Architecture" on the viewer's left and "Sculpture" on the viewer's right, both of these sculptures lean into the ledges on the third story. The inimitable Burt Johnson was commissioned to create these beauties. As one's eyes continue up, there are two nude figures perched on 9th story ledges and two 12' high panels titled "Inspiration" mark the 12th story (LA Conservatory).
As one enters the Fine Arts Building, there are more touches of Burt Johnson. That is, seventeen bronze figures line the foyer and the corridor, which eventually leads to, as it's been described, a "Spanish Renaissance 'courtyard' lobby with a galleried mezzanine" and fountain (Several, 1999).
To say that the lobby is spectacular would be an understatement. However, before…
