Sun #27

Claire Falkenstein, 1966-67

This painted steel and iron sculpture is located in the Newquist Sculpture Court at the Visual Arts Center. It was a gift of Thomas W. Knaup.

Sun #27, once part of the Nuewquist Collection, is an exploration of curvilinear, biomorphic space using iron and steel. From a series of sculptures started after 1953, the form of Sun #27 is developed from a lattice structure that is twisted by Falkenstein to create a dimensional shape that evokes the tension between the internal and external space. The completed sculpture, painted a bright yellow, brings to mind a cheerful, giant cobweb. During Falkenstein’s varied and distinguished career, she created large-scale sculptures such as Sun #27 and Game Action (also on the Cal State Fullerton campus). She is also well-known for drawings, paintings, and less expansive sculptures in metals, glass, and wood.

Claire Falkenstein (1908–97) earned a BA degree from U.C. Berkeley. In 1950 she opened a studio in Paris and in 1960 she moved to Venice, California, where she maintained a studio and residence until her death. Private commissions and works are found in Europe as well as the United States. Major commissions in Los Angeles include the St. Basil church windows, rectory screen and doors; and sculptures on the CSU Long Beach and CSU Dominguez Hills campuses.