Episode #123: The Triforium + Topographic Map: Preserving Joseph Young’s Mid-Century Marvels in the Heart of Downtown Los Angeles

You Can't Eat the Sunshine

Triforium by Joseph Young

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Join us this month for a special episode dedicated to the iconic Civic Center artworks created by Joseph Young (1919-2007), and the various ways that the City and County of Los Angeles are maintaining them. We talk with Clare Haggarty, Deputy Director of Collections for the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, about the restoration of Young’s mosaic fountain Topographic Map, on the north side of Neutra and Alexander’s Hall of Records building. We also talk with Cecily Young, one of the artist’s daughters, to learn about The Triforium, his visionary multimedia installation located a block away on the city’s Los Angeles Mall.

We’ll also discuss the city’s removal of Sheila Klein’s Vermonica, East Hollywood’s greatest civic attraction (May 5, 1993-November 21, 2017), two new videos from the Cranky Preservationist, Musicians’ Union Local 47 passes the first hurdle to becoming an Historic Cultural Monument, the proposed demolition of Welton Beckett’s Parker Center, Echo Park’s Jensen’s Recreation Center rooftop sign restored, Grand Central Market’s new owner announced, somewhat encouraging changes to the development plans for William Pereira’s neglected Metropolitan Water District HQ, concerns that the 75-year-old Silent Movie Theatre isn’t closed for long in the wake of Cinefamily’s implosion and the last days of Beverly Hills stationer Francis-Orr (since 1924).

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A statement from Sheila Klein about the removal of her artwork Vermonica. RIP to the beautiful Urban Candelabra, East Hollywood’s greatest civic attraction (May 5, 1993-November 21, 2017).

The Cranky Preservationist, who loves Los Angeles and HATES what you’re doing to it, returns! Episode 12: Sweet Sidewalk Blues (on Facebook or YouTube) and Episode 13: Golden Arch Hawk Taco Blues (on Facebook or YouTube).

Musicians’ Union Local 47, a landmark of Hollywood and civil rights history, passes the first hurdle on the road to becoming an Historic Cultural Monument.

City estimates about half a billion dollars to tear down Welton Becket’s iconic Parker Center. Adaptive reuse would save millions, and a landmark. Meanwhile, Welton Becket’s young associate Louis Naidorf asks why Los Angeles would demolish a pleasant, adaptable office building like Parker Center.

One of L.A.’s coolest animated signs, the Jensen’s Recreation Center bowler, lives, in its latest restoration by Paul Greenstein.

Grand Central Market celebrates its centennial, quietly changes hands. What’s next for L.A.’s historic breadbasket?

Although the project description remains nebulous, hints of adaptive reuse and respect for William Pereira’s legacy are perhaps on the menu as SOM and James Corner are hired to rework the architect’s neglected Metropolitan Water District HQ in Victor Heights. Learn more about our Pereira in Peril campaign here.

Cinefamily has officially shuttered. Their tenancy is just another blip in the 75-year history of the Silent Movie Theater, and we hope this Los Angeles landmark isn’t dark for long.

Beverly Hills stationer Francis-Orr (since 1924) is closing forever on 12/30.

URLs for interviews:

The Triforium Project

The Los Angeles County Arts Commission