"Colfax Bridge"

The concept I have developed for the Colfax bridge stimulates an appreciation for the LA river and visually indicates that the river is below. The belvederes, which are shaped to mimic the channelized river allow a viewer to experience and connect with the channel in very physical way. A diagonal in the roadway allows even an motorist the understanding of the river’s path.The belvederes on both sides extend past the body of the bridge in the same configuration and angle as the channelized LA River directly below. A visceral connection with the waterway occurs when standing on the belvederes. The current Colfax bridge has metal grating panel. Adding an historic element, the new bridge will use the same metal to connect the two belvederes directly over the river giving a textural understanding for a driver, that she has just crossed the river.

A driving or walking viewer will encounter a large natural granite specimen with an embedded plaque. In this piece, volume+ space describes force. Collected from the San Gabriel Mountains, this stone enables a viewer to comprehend the tremendous power of water below them and how the boulder hypothetically arrived there. The plaque will read;“In the past, a boulder like this one could be propelled by rushing waters from as far away as the San Gabriel Mountains through the uncontrolled Los Angeles River channel during a flood.”

Approaching from the north, a perfect cube of granite is seen. Upon closer inspection one sees that the low relief texture is the surface of the river flowing. One visually connect the boulder hardscape to a rock grouping on the east side of the bridge at the south end. This congruity also works for people walking the foot path and invites investigation of the top side. A photo plaque of an older Colfax bridge will be mounted on the vertical wall near the path. It is an archive photo taken just after the flood in 1938. Supporting text will read “In February 1938 a giant tangle of sticks and rock debris moved through a somewhat controlled LA river and demolished this bridge and 10 others. The wooden trestle style bridge ultimately became added debris wreaking havoc downstream. This reenactment pays homage to the old Colfax bridge built in 1923 of wooden timbers. Please notice what we have learned.”

The “Cube of Water” will be a counter point to the natural boulder. This 18 inch manicured granite cube was a textured top. The low relief texture mimics water flowing. The cube form exemplifies how the water has been contained and controlled.

I feel the elements in the piece will bring a consciousness of the river to a viewer, to really see how it is, which is very different than other rivers. To understand how it got that way is perhaps more beneficial than wishing for it to visually different. I want people to really see the river.