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A Huge 'Paper Airplane' Sculpture Will Soon Provide Shade At DTLA's Grand Park
Whoooosh! The 'Paper Airplane' design (Rendering courtesy of the Music Center)
The winners of a design contest have been chosen to create large shade structures for the busy downtown park in front of City Hall.The winning design, known simply as "Paper Airplane," will feature a soaring fleet of eleven massive paper plane-shaped structures, which are expected to land in Grand Park this June, according to Downtown News. The overlapping sculpture, made of a mesh-like material, will be placed over the park's Olive Court, near the Arthur J. Will Memorial Fountain, and will provide welcome respite on sunny days—i.e. most days—especially for anyone hitting up the adjacent food trucks at lunchtime.
The playful sculpture was designed by artists Elenita Torres and Dean Sherriff, and was one of 59 submissions to a public design competition that was open to Los Angeles artists earlier this year. According to Curbed LA, it was then chosen as one of three finalists, but ultimately beat out the others, which included structures resembling a plaid picnic blanket and twisted, multi-colored ribbons.
The 'Paper Airplane' design (Rendering courtesy of the Music Center)
"While we reviewed some incredibly creative concepts, 'Paper Airplane' was the overwhelming favorite," Grand Park Director Lucas Rivera said in a statement. "The concept's uniqueness, as well as its ability to capture the dynamic nature of Grand Park and the spirit and personality of the multiple generations who enjoy the park, were both powerful and compelling and make 'Paper Airplane' an exciting choice."The construction and installation of the sculpture will be funded by a $100,000 grant from the Goldhirsh Foundation's My LA2050 challenge.
After "Paper Airplane" expected arrival in June, the sculpture will stay up in the park for two years, according to Downtown News. Though, we're not sure why it would fly away.
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The 'Paper Airplane' design (Rendering courtesy of the Music Center)
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