This fountain is one of Herbert Bayer’s famous sculptures and it stands in the plaza between the two ARCO Towers in Los Angeles. It brings not only color to this urban space but in the same time merges perfectly with the surrounding gray landscape generated by the building facades (designed by A.C. Martin & Associates). Dark gray granite crates the 60 foot diameter fountain base, while the red steps, going nowhere, seem to generate the whole space not only visually but also acoustic (the noise of water cascading along the steps). It’s a kinesthetic experience that gives the plaza a human scale, counter-balancing the impact of the impersonal, tall office buildings. This is a sculpture that you can easily sit and watch without feeling time passing by. It caches your eye and misleads you. At first glance each step seems to have a distinct color but this is only because of the different light intensities coming on each step, creating an illusion. Designed by the Bauhaus student and teacher, Herbert Bayer, the Double Ascension was created in 1973 for the ARCO Company and still remains a landmark even today. The large bank who recast the ARCO Towers, wanted to implement a new logo and this naturally came from the spiral fountain below. The patterns created are now scattered throughout the building and the plaza – on carpets, wall finishes and even the café tables that surround the sculpture.
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I think this sculpture is very powerful, I love the reflections it makes in the water, and it looks awesome in the heroes show.