By Jerry Rubin
The Santa Monica Landmarks Commission voted unanimously at its May 14 public meeting at City Hall to nominate for City landmark status the late three-time Pulitzer Prize winning political cartoonist Paul Conrad’s iconic “Chain Reaction” 26-foot-tall nuclear mushroom cloud sculpture, that he created and gifted to the City, and which has been standing in the Santa Monica Civic Center since 1991.
Paul Conrad’s son David Conrad spoke at the meeting and urged the commissioners to support the nomination.
The vote was 6 to 0, with one commissioner absent.
The Conrad family and community are currently attempting to raise the substantial funding which appears to be necessary to restore and strengthen the unique public art peace sculpture.
The Santa Monica City staff will now start what might be up to a 60 day landmark evaluation process, then bringing their report back to the Landmarks Commission for a final landmark status vote.
For further information on how to donate a tax deductible donation through the Santa Monica Arts Foundation to help save and restore “Chain Reaction”, visit the Conrad family website at: conradprojects.com.
