Serving a vital role in the community, the Kaiser Permanente Medical Office Building and Counseling & Learning Center offers essential services and community support to the greater Watts area and its neighbors. Inspired by the critical role of the facility, our art program offers a body of work that is bold, fresh, and accessible – a fun and healing respite far removed from the stress of the everyday.
“Community Mural” on the exterior of the building.
Mixed media collages, unlikely material pairings, and woven forms allude to the vibrant, diverse, and interconnected community just outside the doors of Watts Pavilion. Intersecting shapes and linear connections remind the viewer of the vital role they play as an individual in a tight-knit and inspiring community. Featured pieces from local artists draw attention to the talented and thriving art communities of Southern Los Angeles, offering a sense of connection, family, and local pride.
Reflecting an Iconic Los Angeles Neighborhood
Located in the South Los Angeles region, Watts is a vibrant neighborhood known for its rich cultural heritage and community resilience. At the heart of the neighborhood lies “Watts Towers”, which is a monumental public art installation. It took Italian immigrant and artist Simon Rodia over 33 years to complete as it showcases a collection of 17 interconnected sculptural towers. Built primarily from steel and mosaics, the tallest tower stands almost 100 feet high. These towers are celebrated not only as a National Historic Landmark, but as a celebration of artistic perseverance and community pride. They continue to inspire residents and visitors alike.
A closeup of the beautiful mosaics. (Source: Lets Photo Trip)
Simon Rodia seen at Watts Towers in 1951. (Source: Hulton Archive / Getty Images)
An art program that reflects a community.
Our 45-piece program for Kaiser Watts was a multi-year project that included a range of local artists that reflect the energetic, vibrant art style of the space. We balanced both community storytelling with an on-brand aesthetic for the Kaiser brand color palette. Kaiser Permanente’s care model enables their teams to think and work as one. Our program theme “Interwoven Unity” reflects this concept.
In the same way that Kaiser Permanente takes an innovative approach to healthcare, we too approached this program from a different angle. We developed a program that is outside the norm or what would be expected in many healthcare facilities.
“Watts Towers Triptych” by David Crocket ties in the iconic neighborhood landmark.
The iconic lobby sculpture.
One of the big moments of our art program is the piece “Unity Mobile” by local artist James Farran. His works are complex and meticulously engineered to be both visually engaging, and structurally robust for use in commercial, hospitality, and healthcare spaces. Specializing in large-scale installations and suspended works, he is a master at designing pieces that inspire awe and create a sense of community through their multifaceted elements.
Inspired by the mosaics of the Watts Towers, Farran created a jaw-dropping installation of hanging colorful ombre panels that overlap and move through the space. As the panels catch the natural light, they emit an array of colors and emotions.
“I love working in metal in the spaces I create because of its ability to accomplish the complexities of engineering, yet still diverse to be soft and light in the production of artistic creations.” – James Farran
“Unity Mobile” by James Farran evokes community connection.
To get a deeper understanding of the art program at the Watts Counseling & Learning Center, check out our latest edition of ELEVATE by KBAA. We explore the idea of Local Wanderlust in unexpected spaces like healthcare environments. Let us know what you think!
