“A four-story-tall wave has just crested over Wilshire Boulevard.” That’s how the Los Angeles Times described Tony DeLap’s “The Big Wave” when it was first erected. Today we admire this striking sculpture.
“The Big Wave” is not just steel. It is a gateway, a statement, and a testament to Santa Monica’s artistic spirit. Artist Tony DeLap completed “The Big Wave” sculpture in 1989. It was one of the city’s first public art projects. It spans Wilshire Boulevard at Franklin Avenue.
Imagine this area back then. The city wanted to create a visual distinction. They wanted to mark where Los Angeles ends and Santa Monica begins. DeLap’s design won a 1983 competition. The city’s Arts Commission sponsored it.
Initially some residents found it insane and superfluous. One resident likened it to the Eiffel Tower. Maybe this will be Santa Monica’s Eiffel Tower. A symbol of the city like the pier has always been.
DeLap envisioned a great giant wave coming from Santa Monica. It breaks on the Los Angeles side. He created a graceful curve with a twist in the middle. This twist is key. It energizes the space around it. Walk around it. You will see its different configurations.
DeLap also wanted to salute Southern California’s car culture. The strip of light reminds him of cars on the freeway at night. It took five nights to erect “The Big Wave”. But it was six years in the making. Funding delays and red tape slowed progress. The artwork is anchored 14 feet below ground.
Recently, “The Big Wave” got a $75000 restoration. This included new energy-efficient LED lighting. The artwork had deteriorated over two decades. It suffered from rust and corrosion. The lighting system no longer worked. The team cleaned and painted the sculpture.
DeLap said he is delighted with the restoration. The LED lighting was not available when it was installed. Now “The Big Wave” lights up Wilshire Boulevard. The lights turn on a half hour before sunset. They turn off a half hour after sunrise.
So, as you stand here, remember the journey of “The Big Wave”. It represents Santa Monica’s welcoming spirit. It stands as a beacon of art and innovation. It is more than just a sculpture. It is a symbol of Santa Monica itself.