A Peace Angel for San Pedro?
""Our lighthouse is called Angels Gate and this is the gateway to the City of Angels," Hahn said. "I think it makes sense to have an angel."
[...]
But in contrast to its New York counterpart, the California statue would likely feature a standing male figure, [...], similar."
[...]
But in contrast to its New York counterpart, the California statue would likely feature a standing male figure, [...], similar."
[Read entire at bottom.]
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A Peace Angel for San Pedro?
By Donna Littlejohn Staff Writer
Posted: 12/19/2011 04:15:03 PM PST Updated: 12/19/2011 04:52:33 PM PST
Artist Lin Evola Smidt holds a model Peace Angel sculpture at the SA Recycling in Terminal Island were nearly 6,000 weapons were brought to be destroyed. (Brittany Murray / Staff Photographer)
New York has its Statue of Liberty.
Will the Port of Los Angeles get a West Coast version in the form of a Peace Angel?
Transforming scrap metal that once killed and maimed into artistic symbols of peace, the Peace Angels Project is setting its sights on San Pedro.
"The idea of doing a West Coast Statue of Liberty would be a monumental undertaking," artist Lin Evola-Smidt told community leaders last week.
The project, which would require years of planning and fundraising, already has one high-profile supporter - U.S. Rep. Janice Hahn. The Democratic congresswoman from San Pedro urged the artist to bring her pitch to Los Angeles.
Evola-Smidt's idea of melting down guns, knives and other weapons to make symbols of peace, Hahn said, left her "very inspired."
"Our lighthouse is called Angels Gate and this is the gateway to the City of Angels," Hahn said. "I think it makes sense to have an angel."
The Peace Angels Project has been around for many years, with angels now in New York and another planned for the Boyle Heights community in Los Angeles.
A statue at the port - no site has been pegged, but a spot on Terminal Island lining the east boundary of the Main Channel has been eyed - would mirror the Statue of Liberty in terms of its size, message and scale.
But in contrast to its New York counterpart, the California statue would likely feature a standing male figure, Evola-Smidt said, similar to a design she calls the Renaissance Angel.
And, of course, he would have wings.
And, of course, he would have wings.
It would serve as a "sentinel of peace" at the port, providing a "memorial to honor all cultures who came to this land from as far back as 40,000 years ago," according to a presentation on the project.
Evola-Smidt presented the idea at the Dec. 13 meeting of the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce Economic Policy Committee.
But that's just the beginning.
She said she will be
An example of a "Peace Angel" sculpture. making the rounds to other community groups to get feedback on the concept.
Like the Statue of Liberty, the West Coast angel could include a museum and research center, according to preliminary plans. Evola-Smidt also envisions a Wall of Honor set on a labyrinth, a Walk of Suffering and Walk of Achievement to pay tribute to those who came to America from throughout the world.
Like the Statue of Liberty, the West Coast angel could include a museum and research center, according to preliminary plans. Evola-Smidt also envisions a Wall of Honor set on a labyrinth, a Walk of Suffering and Walk of Achievement to pay tribute to those who came to America from throughout the world.
It would, Evola-Smidt said, "honor all Americans who came to this land mass from every single area, to unite all Americans under a banner."
American Indians who once populated the area would be among those groups specifically highlighted, she said.
"I just think it's time," she said. "America is in such a difficult place right now.
Deputy Steve Stroble dumps handguns into a barrel. They are some of the nearly 6,000 weapons collected by law enforcement to be crushed and melted down at SA Recycling in Terminal Island. The weapons, seized by the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department were illegal or were those involved in crimes. There were rifles, handguns, and swords. (Brittany Murray / Staff Photographer)When I was looking into my heart, I saw the possibility for San Pedro to unite America through one feeling."
Evola-Smidt said she'd like to involve local artists and others in the plans. But first she's trying to gauge whether the concept would be embraced or not.
Evola-Smidt said she'd like to involve local artists and others in the plans. But first she's trying to gauge whether the concept would be embraced or not.
As for materials that could be used, collected weapons - many involved in Los Angeles crimes - were brought Thursday morning to SA Recycling on Terminal Island.
Weapons seized by Los Angeles police (5,900) and sheriff's deputies (2,900) were crushed and will be donated to the Peace Angels Project.
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