Urban Talismans---1993
Project Site:
Children of the Night/ Los Angeles, CA
Funded by:
The City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department
This project involved the design of a sculptural, architecturally integrated inscription program to create a talismanic symbol system for the young runaways/prostitutes who are sheltered here. Located at a shelter for teenage runaways who have been lured into prostitution, this environmental art program is comprised of a symbolic beacon, metaphoric architectural inscriptions and talismanic word-structures that appear to support the portico overhead. The internally-illuminated word-structures---virtually burning abstractions of the word AWAY---become anthropomorphic protectors, warding away the predators who often attempt to reclaim their chattel.
Constructed of perforated aluminum, internal neon illumination, and structural aluminum forms.