A Californian local sculpture by Mark di Suvero that made Venice Beach its home for over two decades, dubbed "Declaration," is officially to be removed after the artist's gallery, LA Louver, failed to hit necessary milestones with its fundraising attempts.
How the Sculpture Failed to Secure a Place in Venice Beach
The 60-foot-high steel monument made out of I-beams, collectively weighing around 25 tons, is an abstract balancing artwork that was first introduced in the famed beach location back in 2001.
Because its integration was funded through a loan facilitated by a Venice Family Clinic benefit, the artwork's two-decade-long stay in its Venice Beach spot far exceeds the original expected duration by a long measure as it wasn't intended to be a permanent piece, anyway.
However, due to its proximity to the beach's boardwalk with its high amount of foot traffic, alongside being located near a skate park and a police station, the locals have developed a sense of attachment to the piece.
Come 2019, the first news regarding its would-be removal first spread in the area, Suvero and his LA gallery had repeatedly failed attempts to convince the city to commit to acquiring the artwork, which unfortunately led to its planned dismantling and transfer to Suvero's estate.
LA Louver Director Kimberly Davis was quoted by Art News saying that the current price of the piece was around $7 million.
Of the removal, on the other hand, Suvero told the art publication that he is "honored" for his sculpture staying as long as it did and that no final date has been issued so far. He added by expressing his thanks that "it contributed to the identity of this special place."
In the beginning, Suvero looked towards LA Louver to cover financial costs when it came to the installation. As per New the York Times' quotation of an LA City Council member back in 2019, his artwork was offered to the city numerous times, with its $4 million costs being the primary reason behind the refusals.
Private backers were also onboarded to help, but ultimately that effort failed, as well. Similarly, despite raising over half of the required money, amounting to just about $2 million according to Yo! Venice!, it is still not enough to cover the necessary costs.
Today, the piece is on its way to Suvero's Petaluma studio in the state.
