Artist: Lion, Henry/Herron, Jason/Peticolas, SherryTitle: Power of Water
Location: Lafayette Park, Corner of Hoover and Lafayette Park Place, Los Angeles
Owner: City of Los Angeles, Cultural Affairs Department, 433 S. Spring St., 10th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90013.
Medium: Cast Stone
Date of Manufacture: September 1, 1934
Date of Installation: January 27, 1935
Foundry or Fabrication: Unknown
Dimensions: Top figure: H: 10' x W: 3'x D: 6'6". Bottom wall relief: H: 5' x W: 25' x D: 16'
Plaque: No plaques seen
Inscriptions: proper right edge of base wall relief: PWAP/1934/LION . HERRON/PETICOLAS
Siting: The fountain is located in a traffic triangle, surrounded by three busy streets. The area functions as a small urban park. It is used by tennis players, chess players, gamblers, drug dealers and others. The traffic is approximately 60' away from the fountain. There are two large eucalyptus trees and one small evergreen tree growing within 5' of the basin. Soil has been built up around the basin, obscuring the bottom section of the relief. The two basins have been filled with soil as well. Grass is planted in the lower basin and around the sides of the basin. Sprinkler heads are located inside the upper basin. The fountain is easily accessible to the public (note graffiti). Birds roost on the top of the basin and head of the central figure.
Description: the fountain was constructed as part of the Public Works of Art Project (PWAP). It was one of hundreds of WPA sculpture projects created in Southern California by some of the state's most important sculptors. Southern California benefited more than any other region in the U.S. from this federally assisted project.
The fountain is composed of two cast stone (concrete) basin, with a central figure of woman symbolizing the power of water in the top basin and a bas-relief panel on the face of the lower basin. The bas0relief depicts people of all ages in their struggle for water. The over life-size figure in the top basin evokes water in the flowing lines of her hair and dress.
The concrete is cast over interior iron rebar. The separately cast elements are joined together with mortar, and grouted.