A Guide to Outdoor Sculpture

Peggy Gaido of Irvine is California coordinator for Save Outdoor Sculpture!, a nationwide project to inventory all outdoor sculpture and encourage its restoration and preservation. Among works in Orange County, she considers these noteworthy.

Anaheim

* Several pieces by Buster Simpson, “Hammer Clock” by Daniel Martinez and “Sinking Canoe” by Nobi Nagasawa.

Koll Anaheim Center, across Harbor Place from the Pacific Bell building near Anaheim Boulevard and Lincoln Avenue. Works are spread over a large area on both sides of Harbor Place and inside the parking structure.

“This is the Orange County example closest to what large cities are doing with public sculpture.”

Brea

* “Sunburst” by Sergio O’Cadiz.

On a slope at Brea Canyon and Canyon Country roads. (It is sometimes partially obscured by foliage.)

A 16-foot pillar with designs suggesting ancient Mexican civilizations. “O’Cadiz, a Mexico City artist, has created a work that is at once contemporary and ancient in design.”

Costa Mesa

* “California Scenario” by Isamu Noguchi.

In the courtyard behind Great Western Bank near Bristol Street and Anton Boulevard.

Spread over 1.6 acres, the various sculptures of wood, stone, metal and live vegetation combine to represent the state’s landscape and ambience. “Probably the most important outdoor sculpture in Orange County. A must see.”

* “Fire Bird” by Richard Lippold.

Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive.

The suspended, metal sculpture is half inside the lobby, half outside the building. “Especially beautiful at night when it is lit.”

Fullerton

* “Fallen David”

California State Fullerton, at the northwest corner of the Education-Classroom Building.

A replica of Michelangelo’s “David” that fell and broke at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Cypress during the 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake. The fragments have been placed as they originally fell. “The new composition has, in effect, been created by nature.”

Huntington Beach

* “The Ultimate Challenge” by Edmond E. Schumpert.

At the parking-lot entrance off Pacific Coast Highway at Huntington Street.

A bronze surfer riding a nearly vertical wave. “This nude--but not totally nude--surfer was originally meant for City Hall but was moved to the beach, where some thought it would to be less offensive.”

Irvine

* “A Garden of Sculpture” by George Sugarman.

Koll Center Irvine North, Main Street and MacArthur Boulevard adjacent to Wells Fargo Bank building.

Several large pieces incorporating seating areas and covering a large plaza area behind a fountain. “The overall effect is colorful and spectacular.”

Laguna Beach

* “A Rocky Ledge” by Julie Klemek and Leslie Robbins.

Near the lawn bowling green at Heisler Park, Cliff Drive at Myrtle Street.

A ceramic sculpture suggesting rock strata and designed to be used as a bench. “It creates a space people use for meeting and picnicking and shows an unusual attitude toward the function of public sculpture.”

* “Canyon Chess and Checkers” by Marlo Bartels.

On Main Beach at Broadway and Coast Highway.

A chess table between two throne-like chairs, all of black ceramic tile with brightly colored accents. “Another instance of public art that is used as well as viewed.”

* “Eiler Larsen” by Guy Angelo Wilson.

Greeter’s Corner restaurant, 329 Coast Highway.

A wooden statue on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant. Erected to honor the man who acted as the town greeter, “an avocation rarely memorialized.” In fact, there are two Larsen statues; another is at the Pottery Shack, 1212 S. Coast Highway.

Newport Beach

* “Sea Lions on the Rock” by Kay Finch.

Below Inspiration Point at Ocean Boulevard and Orchid Avenue.

Placed on a natural rock formation in memory of the artist’s husband, who had worked to create parks and preserve the coastline. “An innovative way to honor a person at a site that was meaningful to him.”

* “Folded Circle, Three Rings” by Fletcher Benton, “Cloud Gate” by Michael Todd, “Canyon” by Stephen DeStabler and “The Levitation of Princess Asrah” by Tony DeLap.

On the grounds of Pacific Financial Plaza, Newport Center Drive at Santa Barbara Drive.

“Very large pieces that one might see in a museum’s sculpture garden.”

The Save Outdoor Statues! inventory is part of the Smithsonian Institution’s Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, available via Internet at telnet address siris.si.edu at no charge.