The Big Wave
Dublin Core
Creator
Tony Delap
Title
The Big Wave
Date
1989
Medium
Stainless steel and plexiglass sculpture with optic fiber lighting
Abstract
The Big Wave is a 43-feet tall stainless steel and plexiglass sculpture that arches over Wilshire Blvd at Franklin Blvd that marks the entrance into the city of Santa Monica. The wave was built in 1989 by Tony Delap who had an eye for combining illusionist techniques with meticulous craftsmanship. The artist won a contest in 1983, enabling him to produce the structure that would be the highlight of the revitalization program which was funded by the city. The sculpture is not only a gateway into the city, but also a reflection of Santa Monica’s values in sustainability. As one of the city’s first public art projects, the four-story arch was made to represent the beach lifestyle since it portrays a wave suspended in midair. Although the art piece was deteriorating, it has been restored adding a lighting system with many LED lights that illuminate on a solar timer.
Description
The wave is a stainless steel and plexiglass sculpture that spans Wilshire Blvd at Franklin Ave in Santa Monica, CA. It is part of the Santa Monica Public Art Collection commissioned in 1989 by Tony Delap.
It has many LED lights that light up on a solar timer, which makes it a green installation.
In the shape of an abstract wave, it serves as a gateway into the city and representative of the infamous beach culture.
It has many LED lights that light up on a solar timer, which makes it a green installation.
In the shape of an abstract wave, it serves as a gateway into the city and representative of the infamous beach culture.
Contributor
Rachel Khorshad, Sofie Bina, Lauren Roshan-Kashani, Sabrina Chung, Autumn Knudson, Ariana, Mia Secarz, Jessica Leach
Relation
The Big Wave is referred to as a welcoming archway to “emphasize where L.A. leaves off and Santa Monica begins" (LA Times). It acts as a gateway from one city to another, representing the transition from city to city. Throughout the course we have studied the importance of entrance ways and gateways and how their architecture embodies the authority and power the ruler emmits.
While this entryway may seem simplistic and one-dimensional, it holds a deeper meaning. One of the vital pieces of architecture we have studied is the Mycenaean Lion Gate. At first glance the gate also seems restrained in dimension, however, the gate was a pivot piece in shaping a new era of architecture. Originally all entrance ways to cities were built with post-and-lintel architecture- a system of construction where two horizontal posts hold up a vertically aligned pillar or slab of stone. Some examples of iconic architecture that utilizes post-and-lintel are Stonehenge and Ishtar Gate.
Both Stonehenge and Ishtar Gate utilize the simplest form of building, however relay different messages. Stonehenge is a pivotal piece as it shows the earliest form of a calendar system and knowledge that the world is cyclical. Ishtar Gate shows specialization and intricacy as relayed through the animal depictions and royal blue dye coloring. Both these forms are beautiful and intricate and the pieces exceptionality can be clearly seen by simply looking at them- the meaning is conveyed through the presentation of the piece.
On the other hand, the Lion Gate and Wave do not execute power simply by looking at them- the meaning is hidden deeper within. The Lion Gate was one of the first gateways to incorporate both post-lintel and corbel architecture. Corbel architecture is a form of construction where the weight of the structure is carried by a fragmented portion that has been incorporated into the stone or wood. The Lion Gate exudes power on two spheres: the deeper meaning behind the Lions guarding the gate, and the new form of architecture that it so masterfully pulls off. The Big Wave, while simplistic at first glance like Lion Gate, serves as a sign of revitalization occurring within the city. This gateway conveys the restoration of the city and the peaceful nature of Santa Monica. It's uncomplicated demeanor can be misleading as the message behind the gateway is much greater. The gate “waves visitors into the city,” (LA Times) and relays Santa Monica’s accepting and welcoming atmosphere. The first impression this piece instills on incomers is that Santa Monica is a place of “zen” and happiness, not churlish and exuberant lifestyles.
Unfortunately, the Big Wave does not withstand the test of time like other pieces we have studied throughout the course. While pieces like Stonehenge, The Arch of Titus Triumphal, and Canterbury Cathedral have withstood nature's processes to a great extent for hundreds of years, the Big Wave needed to be restored after only 20. This limited time frame shows how the importance of longevity of pieces has diminished over time.
While this entryway may seem simplistic and one-dimensional, it holds a deeper meaning. One of the vital pieces of architecture we have studied is the Mycenaean Lion Gate. At first glance the gate also seems restrained in dimension, however, the gate was a pivot piece in shaping a new era of architecture. Originally all entrance ways to cities were built with post-and-lintel architecture- a system of construction where two horizontal posts hold up a vertically aligned pillar or slab of stone. Some examples of iconic architecture that utilizes post-and-lintel are Stonehenge and Ishtar Gate.
Both Stonehenge and Ishtar Gate utilize the simplest form of building, however relay different messages. Stonehenge is a pivotal piece as it shows the earliest form of a calendar system and knowledge that the world is cyclical. Ishtar Gate shows specialization and intricacy as relayed through the animal depictions and royal blue dye coloring. Both these forms are beautiful and intricate and the pieces exceptionality can be clearly seen by simply looking at them- the meaning is conveyed through the presentation of the piece.
On the other hand, the Lion Gate and Wave do not execute power simply by looking at them- the meaning is hidden deeper within. The Lion Gate was one of the first gateways to incorporate both post-lintel and corbel architecture. Corbel architecture is a form of construction where the weight of the structure is carried by a fragmented portion that has been incorporated into the stone or wood. The Lion Gate exudes power on two spheres: the deeper meaning behind the Lions guarding the gate, and the new form of architecture that it so masterfully pulls off. The Big Wave, while simplistic at first glance like Lion Gate, serves as a sign of revitalization occurring within the city. This gateway conveys the restoration of the city and the peaceful nature of Santa Monica. It's uncomplicated demeanor can be misleading as the message behind the gateway is much greater. The gate “waves visitors into the city,” (LA Times) and relays Santa Monica’s accepting and welcoming atmosphere. The first impression this piece instills on incomers is that Santa Monica is a place of “zen” and happiness, not churlish and exuberant lifestyles.
Unfortunately, the Big Wave does not withstand the test of time like other pieces we have studied throughout the course. While pieces like Stonehenge, The Arch of Titus Triumphal, and Canterbury Cathedral have withstood nature's processes to a great extent for hundreds of years, the Big Wave needed to be restored after only 20. This limited time frame shows how the importance of longevity of pieces has diminished over time.
Files
Citation
Tony Delap, “The Big Wave,” SMC Digital Humanities, accessed May 18, 2024, https://smc.omeka.net/items/show/30.