Gazing at this serene face, have you ever felt a connection to something beyond yourself? This is Laura. Laura is more than just a sculpture. Laura is a 23-foot-tall mesh portrait. She stands weightlessly in a pool of water here in Los Angeles.
Laura was created by Jaume Plensa. He is a Spanish artist born in 1955. Plensa explores the concept of the infinite in everyday life with Laura. He pronounces his name ZHOW-meh Puhlensa.
Plensa sees the infinite as just beyond our grasp. He hopes to bring viewers closer to touching it with Laura. The pool surrounding Laura creates limitless depth. It mirrors her image. This reflection creates a continuous dialogue. It is a conversation between what is real and not real.
Despite being in bustling Los Angeles Laura evokes stillness. She brings a sense of calm. The water around Laura is key. Water is rare in urban spaces. Yet it is central to LA’s oceanside identity. It deepens the moment of tranquility when experiencing the sculpture.
Laura stands at the Fairmont Century Plaza. The sculpture is made of stainless steel. She measures 700 x 415 x 760 cm. Plensa created Laura in 2020. She invites us to contemplate our place in the world. She asks us to consider the infinite possibilities within ourselves. Laura is not merely a sculpture. She is an experience. Laura is an invitation to dream. Laura is an opportunity to connect with the infinite. Laura is a moment of peace.