Literate Fence, (sculpture).

Literate Fence, (sculpture).

Niemi, Ries, sculptor.

Hardy, Holzman, Pfeiffer Associates, architectural firm.

Tutor-Saliba Corporation, contractor.

A2Z Products, founder.

Literate Fence, (sculpture).

Gates and Grilles, (sculpture).

Digital Reference:

Metal, panic bars, grilles, locks and other hardware.

9 parts. Grilles: approx. H. 6 ft. 4 in. x W. 5 ft.; Double leaf gate with transom: approx. H. 10 ft. 8 in. x W. 6 ft. 6 in.; Double leaf gates: approx. H. 9 ft. 2 in. x W. 5 ft.; Metal Fence: approx. H. 9 ft. x W. 93 ft. with two double leaf gates, each: approx. W. 6 ft.

(Along tops of gates:) BIOLOGY/LANGUAGES/PHILOSOPHY/LITERATURE/TECHNOLOGY/LAW (musical note) MUSIC (At transom over gate:) A HOLE IS TO DIG:/A BOOK IS TO LOOK AT/-RUTH KRAUSS- (On grille:) THERE IS/NO FRIEND/MORE OBLIGING/THAN A BOOK (This text appears in other languages on the grille; lettering in the photograph is unclear) (On grille:) THE MORE/THAT YOU/READ,/THE MORE/THINGS YOU/WILL KNOW./THE MORE/THAT YOU/LEARN,/THE MORE/PLACES/YOU'LL GO./DR. SUESS (text continues) unsigned

Series of fences, gates and window grilles cut into a sunburst pattern. The gates are topped with section headings such as Biology, etc., and some of the pieces have quotes from various children's authors as well as text in different languages. Elements of this work were created to continue the original concept conceived by the library's architect, Bertram G. Goodhue in the 1920s. The sunburst pattern is in deference to the "Light of Learning" apparent in the pyramid tile work in the library. The multi-lingual inscriptions are a nod to Goodhue's English and Latin inscribed the walls. The Deco design is also in keeping with the original design of the library.

Architecture -- Detail -- Fence

Architecture -- Detail -- Gate

Allegory -- Arts & Sciences -- Education

Object -- Written Matter -- Book

Outdoor Sculpture -- California -- Los Angeles

Administered by City of Los Angeles, Public Library Department, Central Library, 630 West Fifth Street, Los Angeles, California 90071

Located Los Angeles Public Library, Central Library, 630 West Fifth Street, East Courtyard, Los Angeles, California

Commissioned by the City of Los Angeles for the Central Library Arts Program, as part of a major renovation of the library. Funded from the Central Library Construction Trust Fund for $101,135. Installation and finish painting by Tutor-Saliba Corporation. IAS files contain a copy of the contract between the Library Department and the artist and sketches for the proposed design. IAS files also include related documents such as the Library Department Board Report, an invoice for the design fee and a related article from the Los Angeles Public Library "Central Library News," July 21, 1993.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, California survey, 1994.

Los Angeles Times, Oct. 6, 1993, Sec. F. pg. 1, 3.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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