A 21-foot-tall mirrored metal bust of renowned director David Lynch has popped up in front of a new apartment complex in Santa Monica.
The animated sculpture is by David Černý, a Czech artist who told LAist he was inspired by Lynch’s work and the Eraserhead director’s connection to Prague.
The piece is divided into dozens of horizontal metal parts that rotate and realign from Lynch’s likeness into more abstract, seemingly randomized designs.
It sits on a chrome pedestal in front of the 1550 Lincoln apartments, near the intersection of Lincoln Boulevard and Colorado Avenue. The bust is similar to another one of Černý’s popular projects, a kinetic sculpture of writer Franz Kafka that’s been displayed in a public square in Prague since 2014.
Černý said the apartment developers, NMS Properties, liked his Prague piece and asked him to do another version in Santa Monica about seven years ago, and he wanted to depict someone from Hollywood and film.
“I realized that my probably most adored film director was David Lynch, and not only because of his movies,” he said.
Černý was drawn to Lynch’s close connection with his hometown of Prague, he said, including the director’s relationship with the The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, which recorded scores for Lost Highway and Mulholland Drive.
“Then I find out that there is a picture of him, with the portrait of Franz Kafka, and he was saying that in this interview that if he would have a chance to pick his brother, that would be Franz Kafka,” Černý said.
That was when he knew Lynch was the right choice, he said. And while they may not be biological brothers, they could now be considered siblings in stainless steel.
Santa Monica requires private developers to install on-site public art that’s equal to at least 2% of the average square foot cost of construction, which the Lynch sculpture satisfied.
But not everyone was on board about having a giant metal face towering over the sidewalk.
When the project went before the Santa Monica Arts Commission in November 2017 for their final approval, there was discussion if the sculpture should represent a woman instead, according to the meeting minutes.
Commissioner Phil Brock also asked Černý if he would reconsider the form, but that didn’t go anywhere. Brock and Commissioner Laurie Yehia ended up voting against the project.
Černý said once he got the city's greenlight, he also wanted to make sure his inspiration approved of the idea.
“After like one month waiting, we finally get the letter,” he said. “Well, yeah, David [Lynch] agreed, like no problem with that. I was really glad.”
It took Černý almost two years to construct the piece, and he said Lynch “really likes it.” The artist is hoping to visit it again in person for an official unveiling sometime this year.
“I almost end up being a filmmaker instead of being a sculptor,” Černý said. “So, my admiration towards him is also very professional.”
