''Double Ascension'' is an abstract 14-1/2' high x 33' long public sculpture. The individual steps measure: 2'11" x 11' x 9". The sculpture is fabricated in painted steel

public art Public art is art in any Media (arts), media whose form, function and meaning are created for the general public through a public process. It is a specific art genre with its own professional and critical discourse. Public art is visually and phy ...

sculpture Sculpture is the branch of the visual arts that operates in three dimensions. Sculpture is the three-dimensional art work which is physically presented in the dimensions of height, width and depth. It is one of the plastic arts. Durable sc ...

Herbert Bayer Herbert Bayer (April 5, 1900 – September 30, 1985) was an Austrian and American graphic designer, painter, photographer, sculptor, art director, environmental and interior designer, and architect. He was instrumental in the development of the ...

mounted within a 60-foot diameter pool. It is located at

City National Plaza City National Plaza is a twin tower skyscraper complex on South Flower Street in western Downtown Los Angeles, California, United States. It was originally named ARCO Plaza upon opening in 1972. History Richfield Tower The present complex is o ...

at 515 South Flower Street, '' Bunker Hill'',

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...

, California, United States.

History

The sculpture was dedicated on January 20, 1973. Bayer was commissioned by

ARCO ARCO ( ) is a brand of gasoline stations currently owned by Marathon Petroleum after BP sold its rights. BP commercializes the brand in Northern California, Oregon and Washington, while Marathon has rights for the rest of the United States an ...

, and he based his design on his earlier works "Articulated Wall", "Double Twist", and "Stairs to Nowhere." An unverified claim is that Bayer's original title for the sculpture was ''Stairway to Nowhere,'' which he changed at the request of company officials. File:Los Angeles, California (September 8, 2022) - 037.jpg, Plaque

References

1969 establishments in California 1969 sculptures Abstract sculptures in California Downtown Los Angeles Outdoor sculptures in Greater Los Angeles Steel sculptures in California {{California-sculpture-stub