San Francisco Yesterday and Today, Parc 55 Hotel, 1983-1984


“I never really noticed how beautiful the Golden Gate Bridge is until I had to make it out of playdough.”— Paul Lanier, Asawa’s son

San Francisco Yesterday and Today, 1984. Artwork © 2021 RAL, Inc.

 

Asawa and her children sculpting the Golden Gate Bridge and seagulls, 1983. Photo © Doug Salin. Artwork © 2021 RAL, Inc.

 

Asawa carving a styrofoam armature for Baker’s Clay, 1983. Photo © Doug Salin. Artwork © 2021 RAL, Inc.

 

Behind her you can make out the stacks of plaster molds she made of her friends’ faces, c. 1983. Photo by Allen Nomura.
Artwork © 2021 RAL, Inc.

 

The panels taking over all available space in Asawa’s studio, 1983. Photo © Doug Salin. Artwork © 2021 RAL, Inc.

 

Completed panels at Lafayette Manufacturing after being cast into glass-fiber reinforced concrete, 1984. Artwork © 2021 RAL, Inc.