Last evening I found myself in an Arts District Loft of close friends, Neon Boy and The Gentrifier, for a Holiday Party to welcome a new addition to their family. No, they didn’t adopt a little Asian baby. They adopted a large concrete & terracotta Angel. An Angel which used to sit 12 stories above the corner of 6th and Flower in Downtown Los Angeles nearly 40 years ago until he lost his home to a wrecking ball.
That home was the Richfield Oil Company Headquarters. A stunning 1929 Art Deco, black & gold terracotta, masterpiece of a building; the coloring of which symbolized the “black gold” or “oil” business of it’s owners. In total, there were 40 Angels that lined the rooftop and it’s unknown how many have survived over the years.
This so called “Angel treasure” has, since his dismantling, sat in the front lawn of a home in Santa Ana until the owners decided to get rid of him. They contacted my friend who is local Historian and Urban Anthropologist and one thing led to another and viola, the Angel is now the most awesome piece of loft art ever.
He’s a handsome devil. The strong, silent type.
If you're interested, you can view more images here.
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