VILLAGE NEWS
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www.SDNEWS.com Volume 17, Number 22
THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2012
San Diego Community Newspaper Group
hen Dan Tarnoveanu was awarded the challenge of restoring the exterior mosaic on the west-facing wall of Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church in June, he knew it would be a demanding job. The entire mosaic was covered with a layer of soot and dust and had suffered deterioration from the elements, as well as having undergone what Tarnoveanu called “inappropriate past repairs.” Cracks and large gaps between tiles were visible where the tesserae (mosaic tiles) had been hastily arranged in a haphazard manner. Worst of all, the mortar originally used to adhere the tiles to the wall was a pure Portland cement — not the special modified lime mortar traditionally used in Roman and Byzantine mosaics. Tarnoveanu soon discovered the task would prove more difficult than he had anticipated. Upon closer inspection, he realized the Portland cement, which crumbles over time, had attributed to the deterioration (“The old tiles were crumbling because of the type of cement used and the exposure to the sea air,” he said) and that large portions of the mosaic “puzzle” hadn’t been arranged correctly — meaning the restoration, if it was to be done correctly, would require a lot of attention to minute detail. “The amount of disintegrated tesserae was almost double than predicted through visual investigation and photo documentation,” he said. “Plus, the gaps between the parts of the mural that were not put together correctly were larger and much more numerous than anticipated.” The mosaic was erected in 1962, a replica of the original fresco titled “Our Lady, Star of the Sea” by prominent Mexican artist Alfre-
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La Jolla’s star is reborn
By KENDRA HARTMANN
Left, Dan Tarnoveanu works on the restoration of the mosaic on the westfacing wall of Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church. The mosaic has been undergoing an extensive makeover for six months. Photos by KENDRA HARTMANN
Colosseum Fine Arts sees the future — of art, that is. The art gallery, located at 7946 Ivanhoe Ave., is bringing a series of exhibitions to La Jolla, bridging the seaside community with a distant neighbor — and an immerging force in the art world — across the Pacific: China. “China’s government may not have always been receptive to art, but it’s opening up now,” said gallery president Floyd Elmore. “Artists have traditionally been guarded by the powers that be, and expression has not always been what the communist party was about. [Art] used to be very state sponsored, but it’s different now. It’s an amazing time period to be involved in this.” Between now and August, Colosseum will open five different exhibits showcasing different Chinese contemporary artists. The first show, opening with a reception on March 3, will
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SEE SEUSS, Page 7
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Courtesy of Colosseum Fine Arts
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Learn what happened on this week in La Jolla history, Page 5
BY KENDRA HARTMANN | VILLAGE NEWS
SEE ART, Page 5
One of Liu Zhonghua’s works using painted foil.
of your way to find this stuff,” he said. “Unless you happen to end up actually in China or at one of those rare exhibitions, you have almost no way of seeing it.” One reason the artists are starting to experience the increase in publicity
Seuss the great celebrates 108
is perhaps because of its forbidden nature. Art and culture, Elmore said, weren’t “dead, but they were regulated.” “A few of the artists [we’re show-
Art offers glimpse of the future be “The Future of the Future,” with 11 works by the Beijing-based Liu Zhonghua. The exhibit, which will be on display throughout March, will follow Zhonghua’s work back to 2008 — a series of paintings that depict elements of innocence like childhood and playfulness mixed with uncertainty for the future. Zhonghua will be present at the March 3 event to discuss his inspiration and life as an artist in a communist country. “Some of these guys were the definition of a starving artist 10 years ago,” Elmore said. “Now, they’re experiencing a great level of success. The message behind it is so powerful. It’s really flourishing.” Elmore said the gallery worked very closely with the artists and several curators to bring the exhibits to La Jolla — a feat in itself, he said. “Some of this kind of art has been shown through a few traveling exhibitions or at a handful of galleries in the U.S., but you still really have to go out
Courtesy photo
Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss — that ubiquitous purveyor of children’s literature and one of La Jolla’s best-loved claims to fame — would be turning 108 years old on March 2. Though he died in 1991, his legacy lives on through his timeless books (and the growing number of movies being adapted from them, including “The Lorax,” set to release on his birthday), his art and, at least locally, a number of buildings that bear his name. In honor of the great rhyming master, the La Jolla Village News spoke with his wife, Audrey Geisel, about life with Dr. Seuss. La Jolla Village News: How did you meet Theodor Geisel? Audrey Geisel: We met on a whaling boat. It got rather rocky and unsteady. I was pitched in his direction and we collided. That was the beginning. LJVN: What was your role in his professional life? Were you involved in the books at all? AG: I was very involved in the books, particularly in the color choices. It was always his book, but I was there as kind of a collaborator. LJVN: “The Lorax” is now coming out. Have you seen it? AG: Oh, yes. We went up and saw [the premier] and it’s quite good. We approve it. LJVN: Were you consulted at all on the movie? AG: Yes, the [producers] came down and we met here. I know [producer] Chris Meledandri real well, so there was a collaboration. It’s a nice movie. LJVN: “The Lorax” focuses on environmental concerns. Was that a topic Dr. Seuss felt strongly about?
SEE MOSAIC, Page 6
BY KENDRA HARTMANN | VILLAGE NEWS
Audrey Geisel, wife of children’s book author Dr. Seuss, will participate in some local celebrations of Seuss’ 108th birthday.
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