Tucked in a tranquil garden behind downtown L.A.’s iconic Walt Disney Concert Hall is the Lillian Disney Memorial Fountain. This beautiful work of art was personally designed by the concert hall’s architect, Frank Gehry, in honor of its primary benefactor, Lillian Disney. Mrs. Disney had a great love for Delftware, the famous white and blue porcelain from the Delft region of the Netherlands. To create the intricate mosaic of the rose-shaped fountain, Gehry and his artisans shattered more than two hundred vases and eight thousand tiles!
Many visitors come to the Disney Concert Hall to hear the world-class symphony or simply to admire the graceful contours of the building. However, it’s well worth the time to walk the grounds and discover some of the smaller, hidden gems too.
Free to the public. Open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 135 N. Grand Ave., 213-972-4399, laphil.com
I first mentioned this fountain in my article about fun & free things to do in downtown L.A. Also, don’t forget to check out Budget Travelers Sandbox where bloggers from around the world share some of their favorite pictures too!
Here are some more shots:
Michael Figueiredo is a freelance travel writer based in Los Angeles, California. When he’s not gallivanting around the world, he’s enjoying the laid-back lifestyle and perfect weather of Southern California. So far he’s visited thirty-six countries and territories on five continents. His goal is to see at least one new country every year! . Read more from this author
Twitter: @avgtraveller
Pretty. From close up it looks like the kids broke it during a house party and had to glue it all back together.
Average Traveller recently posted..Where to Eat in London: Eatinerary 2011
Twitter: @adventureswben
That’s a cool rose.
adventureswithben recently posted..Florida Travel Cocktail Podcast is Now Available on iTunes!
Twitter: @jimshu2000
That is sheer beauty Michael. I didn’t realise it was tile work until I saw one of the close ups. Gorgeous.
Twitter: @InsideJourneys
This is so beautiful, Michael!!!
InsideJourneys recently posted..Tasty Thursdays: July 4th Jerk
Twitter: @sensibletravel
Great photos and summary of a site that many would overlook.
Twitter: @TravelingWithS
That is really beautiful and so unusual. Interesting about how it was made. Probably therapeutic shattering all that glass and tile.
Cathy Sweeney recently posted..The Railway Cathedral
Twitter: @struxtravel
Haha! I bet it was!
Twitter: @Technosyncratic
How pretty! I wonder if I could get one in my yard?
Christy @ Technosyncratic recently posted..Photo Essay: National Parks of the Southwest
Great photos
Muza-chan recently posted..A Japanese Song per Day: Nami Tamaki – Brightdown
Twitter: @manonthelam1
Very cool! Looks like they used lots of Japanese vases…
Raymond recently posted..Travel Photo of the Week — Pigeon`s Rock, Beirut, Lebanon
Twitter: @SophieR
I saw that when we were there earlier this year, but had no idea of the history behind it. Beautiful artwork and great photos!
Sophie recently posted..Svalbard – polar bear country
Twitter: @Laurel_Robbins
Lovely! I like the less famous stuff as well, especially stuff like this that has meaning.
Laurel recently posted..Celebrating Canada Day in Germany…Or Not
Twitter: @traveltosun
A great idea for recycling! I knew there was life after death for vases and tiles too!
Seriously, the work of Frank Gehry looks purely magnificent and so do your photos.
Cheers!
Adrian B. recently posted..A Clock Tower on Calea Victoriei
Twitter: @struxtravel
Thanks Adrian! (Although I don’t think it was recycling…. I think they actually broke perfectly good vases & tiles for the project!)
Twitter: @countryskipper
Beautiful! I love last shot!! Looks really pretty.
Sabrina recently posted..Skiing in Santa Fe
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Thanks Sabrina!
Twitter: @eurotravelista
Very impressive and a great tribute.
Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista recently posted..Romantic Lago Maggiore
Twitter: @tanamatales
How beautiful!!! My favorite is the last one. The lily with the silver, curvy building walls looks really great.
Ruth recently posted..Los Angeles Farmer’s Market
Twitter: @struxtravel
Thanks Ruth!
What a beautiful fountain!! I can’t believe the entire thing is made out of smashed tiles and vases! I live pretty close to LA, I will have to search for this soon.
This is so beautiful, Michael!!! Pretty. How pretty!
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Twitter: @struxtravel
Thanks Frances!