Psychic Body Grotto

LAND commissioned Los Angeles-based artist Anna Sew Hoy to create the large-scale, bronze public sculpture Psychic Body Grotto at the 32 acre Los Angeles State Historic Park. Drawing on the artist’s previous explorations of materiality, spirituality and the relationships we forge with everyday objects, this is Sew Hoy’s most ambitious sculpture to date.

Psychic Body Grotto is a room-sized bronze sculpture or “figurative gazebo” for meetings and rituals that have yet to be invented. The sculpture evokes the illusion of being organically generated from the earth, creating a locus for contemplation and relaxation amidst the buzzing city-scape of Los Angeles.

Working in conjunction with the efforts of California State Parks to revitalize and create new spaces for cultural and civic dialogue, activity, leisure, and engagement, Psychic Body Grotto functions as an interactive work of public art, landscape design, and gathering spot for local residents and visitors of the park.

Opening Reception

Sunday, May 21, 2017

4pm – 7pm

Anna Sew Hoy and LAND (Los Angeles Nomadic Division) celebrated the opening of Psychic Body Grotto on Sunday. The free public opening event included artist activations by Ethernet (Benjamin Boatright and Dylan Mira), Cirilo Domine & Tala Mateo, Corey Fogel, and LA Fog at the sculpture. Corey Fogel turned Psychic Body Grotto into an instrument with an array of other percussive units. Cirilo Domine & Tala Mateo live wrote a text at their desk relocated near the sculpture. LA Fog presented a traditional acoustic performance of their music.

John Tain and Carol Cheh from KCHUNG radio broadcast live during the performances, recording the music, sounds and interviews with the artists.

Significant support for Anna Sew Hoy's Psychic Body Grotto is provided by Creative Capital.

Additional support for this project is provided by Bloomberg Philanthropies, LAND's Nomadic Council, Los Angeles County Arts Commission, and Los Angeles State Historic Park.