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The New World (sculpture)

Coordinates: 34°03′12″N 118°14′21″W / 34.05343°N 118.23913°W / 34.05343; -118.23913
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The New World
Central fountain and frieze along the pergola, 2022
Map
ArtistTom Otterness
LocationLos Angeles, California, U.S.
Coordinates34°03′12″N 118°14′21″W / 34.05343°N 118.23913°W / 34.05343; -118.23913

The New World is a sculpture by Tom Otterness, installed outside Los Angeles' Edward R. Roybal Federal Building, in the U.S. state of California.[1][2]

Description

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The work is installed in a central plaza in three parts. One fountain has a reclining bronze child and a bronze globe. A niche in a pillar has an abstract metal female figure on a chair. Her ankle is chained to the wall. An overhead cast concrete frieze runs along a pergola and down its columns. The frieze has abstract human figures carrying balls, boxes, and pillars.[3] A human figure in the center of the frieze has multiple arms and holds a knife in one hand and a decapitated human head in another. A nearby human figure clings to the underside of a rhinoceros, and another depicts a human figure with an elephant.[3]

History

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The abstract work was completed during 1982–1991 and installed in 1992. It cost $266,000. The artwork was surveyed as part of the Smithsonian Institution's "Save Outdoor Sculpture!" program in 1995.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Nude Sculptures Removed From Federal Building After Protest by Congressman". AP NEWS. Archived from the original on 2022-09-27. Retrieved 2022-09-27.
  2. ^ "Mixed Response to Sculptures' Return : Art: Tom Otterness' controversial works depicting a nude woman and a baby are reinstalled at the new federal building downtown". Los Angeles Times. 1992-02-05. Archived from the original on 2021-02-20. Retrieved 2022-09-27.
  3. ^ a b c "The New World, (sculpture)". Smithsonian Institution. Archived from the original on 2022-09-21. Retrieved 2022-09-27.