Through the County’s Civic Art policy, the Department of Arts and Culture was able to guide the creation of a new civic artwork created by the artist Geoff McFetridge specifically for the courtyard and community of the Department of Public Works. This fountain is an example of how community, service, and public works speak to the complex nature of our County and to the people who live in and imagine it. In this artwork, the Artist considered how the Department of Public Works exists in relation to earthworks, the work of nature, and what makes the broader ecology of Los Angeles so unique. His artwork shows physical connections as well as imagery that emphasizes how Public Works is an organization built upon service to the community. As water is a powerful element for all Angelenos, the artist wanted to use it to “draw” his vision. The three-dimensional custom tilework amplifies the water sounds and creates a “drawing with water,” like a sand painting that is in constant motion. The fountain’s spill-wall depicts an imaginative water machine built out of iconic structures and vessels that relate to aspects of the community that supports Public Works, and which in turn is served by Public Works. The water rises to the top of the fountain and fills vessels; shaped abstract taps funnel water to buildings and guide it over raised troughs and roads; hollow heads stream water to represent the County’s vibrant creativity. On the fountain’s back wall, a row of figures represents the community served by Public Works. These figures, each holding a pot in their hands, are supported by the mechanized design of the spill-wall. Within the landscape of the courtyard, the images and sculptural elements combine with the natural elements (water and plants) to create a living, moving mural. I am interested in how natural elements, water and plants, communicate in a way that I often do with images. In much of my work I strive to use the raw materials of our visual language to say something new, to help us to better connect to the world that we inhabit.” -Geoff McFetridge

Geoff McFetridge is a Canadian artist and designer whose work has been mounted at institutions and galleries in Europe, Tokyo, Los Angeles, and New York, and includes paintings, installations, furniture, film, fabrics, and wallpaper. He lives and works in Los Angeles. He has created graphics and logotypes for clients including Patagonia, Amazon, Google, Nike, and Apple, and served as art director for Grand Royal, the Beastie Boys’ magazine. His work in film includes title sequences for The Virgin Suicides and Adaptation, and the interface graphics for the feature film Her. He is the winner of the 2016 Cooper-Hewitt Smithsonian National Design Award. In 2019, he was awarded the AIGA Medal. To learn more, visit: www.championdontstop.com