Art Hype: Long Live The Triforium Project

Ready to literally go back to the future? Scenario: A diverse group of LA enthusiasts pledge commitment to restore and retrofit Joseph Young’s “polyphonoptic” kinetic sculpture, The Triforium, built in 1975, with modern technology. Among them are Claire Evans and Jona Bechtolt, members of the electronic pop band YACHT—and founders of the app that tells you about 5 cool things in LA on the daily that we just can’t stop trolling—5 Every Day.

The restoration aptly titled The Triforium Project kicks off on Friday December 11th from 4pm-9pm at Temple + Main in DTLA in celebration of the sculpture’s 40 year anniversary.

Yet with all the fun that’s about to throw down in a collective Angeleno-inspired nature, it’s the notable highlights of the public artwork’s history that we grab a hold of, peaking our interest to follow the story and see where all of this ends up.

From the download we get, apparently the Triforium was decades ahead of its time. Inclusive with 1,494 multicolored glass cubes lighting meant to synchronize with music from a 79-note glass bell carillon, the six story, 60-ton piece, the sculpture has yet to flourish in its maker’s visionary approach; from the structure’s computer not synching with the bells and lighting effects to the denouncement of art critics, political contest of the piece, to how costly it was to fix, demolish or maintain, the vision is now the future.

The collective of enthusiasts behind the Triforium Project want all of us to know it deserves some love and life, manifesting a partnership with the city, using LED lights, and turning things around with upgraded software. We guess anything would do to bring this astro-looking piece to the here and now. The facts of this public art piece’s initial goal make it all so legendary, and moreover, the desire to preserve it by these folks. Let’s hope that soon enough we’ll be taking some selfies in front of this new age piece. Is it safe to call it that now?

Friday’s event will have speakers, roving history tours of the Triforium’s usually off-limits control room by Tom Explores Los Angeles, dublab DJs, Seoul Sausage Company and PattywagonLA food trucks and since it’s a birthday bash, free birthday cake from Charm City Cakes West.

Here’s a look at Yacht’s 5 Every Day, cause you need it:

5 Every Day from YACHT on Vimeo.

Other enthusiasts behind the Triforium Project are Tom Carroll, host of webseries Tom Explores Los Angeles, Downtown artist Qathryn Brehm, Executive Director of Downtown Art Walk, The Windish Agency, Tanner Blackman and the Do Art Foundation, Collective Studios, and City Councilman José Huizar. Twitter: #LightUpLA @triforiumla.