In Thursday’s (12/8) Los Angeles Times, Karen Wada writes, “Whenever the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra performs, violinist Julie Gigante is likely to get a few second glances. ‘At every concert, people recognize her,’ says Andrea Laguni, LACO’s general manager. ‘They ask, “Is that the girl in the mural?” ’ Gigante has become a familiar face to many Angelenos, thanks to Kent Twitchell’s 8-story tribute to the orchestra, ‘Harbor Freeway Overture,’ which overlooks the northbound 110 Freeway downtown. The 11,000-square-foot artwork fills three parking-structure walls with a dozen figures in concert dress standing beneath a cloudy sky. ‘Kent did more than create a pretty picture,’ says Gigante, a first violin who joined LACO 25 years ago. ‘It’s an intriguing piece of art that makes people stop and look and think.’ ‘Overture’ is also the largest installed work by a man known for his super-sized portraits, which makes it a cultural point of interest as well as a roadside landmark. … LACO will mark that icon’s 20th anniversary during its concerts Saturday at the Alex Theatre in Glendale and Sunday at UCLA’s Royce Hall. A brief program will include introductions of the three current ensemble members who are in the mural and, at the Glendale show, the artist.”
Posted December 8, 2011
