PHOTOS: LAPD’s ‘cow-splat’ art
Public art costing $500,000 has been installed on the west side of the Los Angeles Police Department’s new headquarters. Although the cast-bronze sculptures have been likened to six large black blobs, with two tall, skinny structures on either side, artist Peter Shelton of Los Angeles says the shapes are a rotund beast, two bison, two bears and two hippos. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)
The animal sculpture on the the northern end of the grounds looks to some like a pig that has been knocked on its side. It was designed by a Los Angeles artist commissioned by the city Department of Cultural Affairs. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)
Los Angeles Police Chief William J. Bratton says the sculpture looks like “some kind of cow splat.” Bratton, who seems personally insulted by the installation, says he first drove past the work and later walked back to see whether “it’s as ugly up close as it is when you’re driving by.” Sounding mad enough to have the artist arrested, he says the answer is yes. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)
“I don’t think anybody can figure out” what the shapes are supposed to be, Bratton says. “Bisons and hippos maybe. I haven’t the faintest idea what the two tallest things are on either side.” Nor does he understand what any of this has to do with police administration, if anything. “I don’t get it,” he says. “It’s just a shame.” (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)
