Vitae Telam (Web of Life) Tela de la Vida
- Artist
- De La Torre Brothers
- Year
- 2018
- Artwork Type
- Sculpture
- Media & Support
- stone on concrete
- Dimensions
- 21 ft. x 15 ft. x 4 ft.* (6.4 x 4.57 x 1.22 m)
- Department
- Health Services
- Location
-
Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center
7601 East Imperial Highway
Downey, CA - District
- 4
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https://www.lacountyarts.org/civicart/objects-1/info/808
https://www.lacountyarts.org/civicart/objects-1/info/808
Location
Latitude: -118.158685 - Longitude: 33.929361
Additional Images
Description
Vitae Telam (Web of Life) Tela de la Vida
Inspired by the “tree of life” ceramic candelabras from Central Mexico, the carved stone sculpture on the Main Plaza features carvings in Mayan-inspired flowing lines. The stem of the sculpture celebrates the advanced technology developed and applied in the Hospital campus, while the central stem features the spine and the branches evoke the ribs as structural analogies to the human body. The ceramic elements intend to show the positive aspects of plant growth and celebratory bloom. The ceramic tendrils attached to the central stem also inspire the nerves that come from between the vertebrates—a symbol of our interconnectedness. Some flowers exhibit a small green face in the center. These little faces are a reminder of the many caring people it takes to assist in the rehabilitation process which are inspired by the ceramic masks known as the “smiling boys” from the pre-Columbian culture of the Totonacs in Veracruz Mexico.
About the Artist
De la Torre Brothers (Jamex and Einar) have created a suite of artworks that acknowledges Rancho’s familial atmosphere of healing, camaraderie, innovation and spirit for the outdoor plazas and interior lobby areas of the outpatient building. Collaborating artists-brothers, Einar and Jamex de la Torre were born in Guadalajara, Mexico (b.1963 & 1960) and moved to California in 1972. Presently living and working in both Ensenada, Mexico and San Diego, California. Jamex started lamp-working glass in 1977, attended California State University at Long Beach under scholarship; and received a BFA in Sculpture in 1983. Einar started work with glass in 1980, and also attended California State University, Long Beach. Both brothers owned and operated a flame-worked glass figure business from 1981-1997. https://delatorrebros.com/
Inspired by the “tree of life” ceramic candelabras from Central Mexico, the carved stone sculpture on the Main Plaza features carvings in Mayan-inspired flowing lines. The stem of the sculpture celebrates the advanced technology developed and applied in the Hospital campus, while the central stem features the spine and the branches evoke the ribs as structural analogies to the human body. The ceramic elements intend to show the positive aspects of plant growth and celebratory bloom. The ceramic tendrils attached to the central stem also inspire the nerves that come from between the vertebrates—a symbol of our interconnectedness. Some flowers exhibit a small green face in the center. These little faces are a reminder of the many caring people it takes to assist in the rehabilitation process which are inspired by the ceramic masks known as the “smiling boys” from the pre-Columbian culture of the Totonacs in Veracruz Mexico.
About the Artist
De la Torre Brothers (Jamex and Einar) have created a suite of artworks that acknowledges Rancho’s familial atmosphere of healing, camaraderie, innovation and spirit for the outdoor plazas and interior lobby areas of the outpatient building. Collaborating artists-brothers, Einar and Jamex de la Torre were born in Guadalajara, Mexico (b.1963 & 1960) and moved to California in 1972. Presently living and working in both Ensenada, Mexico and San Diego, California. Jamex started lamp-working glass in 1977, attended California State University at Long Beach under scholarship; and received a BFA in Sculpture in 1983. Einar started work with glass in 1980, and also attended California State University, Long Beach. Both brothers owned and operated a flame-worked glass figure business from 1981-1997. https://delatorrebros.com/