Discover Artist - Mark Lere
Mark Lere
Mark Lere is an artist known for his public art installations, primarily located in California.He received his BFA from Metropolitan State College in Denver and his MFA from UC Irvine. His work often uses language in titles or as part of the piece, and he aims to prompt viewers to question their surroundings and life's journey. Notable workarks by Mark Lere include:
- Untitled: Several minimalist sculptures installed for the Santa Monica Civic Center Parking Structure.
- Who, What, Where?: A project at the Grand/LATTC Metro Station in Los Angeles, consisting of four sculptural elements and sandblasted text on the platform pavement, using travel as a metaphor for life.
- Floating Dog and Flying Cat: Internally lit sculptures at an animal care center in Palmdale made of painted aluminum and translucent fabric, designed to represent the positive body language of pets.
- Tornado: A floor sculpture that has been featured in auctions.
Follow Mark on Instagram @mark.lere
Mark Lere - Projects
Tornado (1985)
Tornado (1985) is by LA-based artist Mark Lere. Since 1980, Lere has focused firmly on environmental phenomena, including the forces of water and wind. In addition to this work in the LACMA collection, he has numerous works in the collection of the LA Museum of Contemporary Art.
Tornado sculpture is on view at Cal State Los Angeles on loan from LACMA, Los Angeles.
Tilt Puzzle Plaza (2007)
Mark Lere: Tilt Puzzle Plaza (2007). Sculpture garden in Woodland Hills, CA. Made of steel, stone, and concrete.
UNTITLED 4 - University of Southern California (USC) - 1995
This is part of a 4 piece installation @ USC.
Each of these four sculptures appeals to a different sense: sight, sound, touch and smell. Those who sat on the bench were surprised by its sound element—sound effects such as thunder and human conversation which has since been removed.
Originally commissioned for the STAPLES Center in Downtown Los Angeles, these pieces were relocated to USC in 2007 with funding provided by AEG.
- The Balancing Sphere: A large, stainless steel sphere that appears to defy gravity.
- The Unpredictable Fountain: A cone-shaped structure that surprises visitors with sporadic bursts of water.
- The Shroud: A 12-foot tall bronze floating figure (the dark, tapered monolith in the background) that is lit from underneath at night to appear as if it is floating.
- The Bench: A sculptural piece providing a place for rest and contemplation within the space.
TORNADO - Main Library, City of Irvine, CA
public sculptures by L.A.-based artist Mark Lere, known for works that explore environmental phenomena such as water and wind. The spiral design in the foreground is located at the Heritage Park Regional Branch of the Orange County Library in Irvine, California. This specific site features outdoor patterns of circles and spirals in white and grey pavement.
The tall, slender work is titled "Tornado" (1985/1991). Crafted from cast bronze or steel discs, its columnar form is intended to evoke natural atmospheric forces.
SPIRAL LANDSCAPE - Westlake, CA
One of the first public sculptures I created over 20 years ago is a landscape/earth spiral at the entrance to an industrial park in Westlake, CA. It has been carefully maintained by the developers, which I so appreciate. It is on a list of sites to see in the area with Japanese tourists who stop by for photo ops on their tour buses. Most recently a fashion photographer found the work and did a series of fashion shots with a well-known model. It has become an Instagram hit which is so interesting to me how the site is now activated in a new way. It has taken on another meaning and experience for the viewers. The work feels alive and relevant today continuing an artistic dialogue and interaction.
WHO, WHAT, WHERE? - LA Metro, 2024
At Grand/LATTC Station, artist Mark Lere’s project Who, What, Where? consists of four sculptural elements installed above the station platform. The artwork uses travel as a metaphor for life and the way we pursue our goals and aspirations. Lere prompts passengers to think about where they’re coming from and where they’re going.
Grand/LATTC Station is one of the busiest on the Metro A Line (Blue) and serves the Los Angeles Trade-Technical College community. Who, What, Where? emphasizes the importance of questions in the educational process and provides an environment for Metro riders to ponder en route to their destinations.
read more here.