Chain Reaction (1991)
Paul Conrad
DESCRIPTION: 5.5 ton, 13-foot wide by 26-foot high copper and stainless steel chain-link and fiberglass sculpture, mounted on a concrete base
American political cartoonist Paul Conrad designed this piece built by Peter M. Carlson. It depicts a mushroom cloud from a nuclear explosion. Conrad intended the sculpture as a cautionary anti-nuclear war statement. The sculpture's inscription reads: "This is a statement of peace. May it never become an epitaph."
The sculpture was renovated in 2016 by City of Santa Monica, which classified the public artwork as also a historical monument. It is surrounded by chain link fencing to discourage attempts to climb it.
American political cartoonist Paul Conrad designed this piece built by Peter M. Carlson. It depicts a mushroom cloud from a nuclear explosion. Conrad intended the sculpture as a cautionary anti-nuclear war statement. The sculpture's inscription reads: "This is a statement of peace. May it never become an epitaph."
The sculpture was renovated in 2016 by City of Santa Monica, which classified the public artwork as also a historical monument. It is surrounded by chain link fencing to discourage attempts to climb it.
LOCATION: Santa Monica Civic Center, 1855 Main Street, Santa Monica, California, USA