Chain Reaction.

Mushroom Cloud Made of Chains

Sculpted in 1991 by political cartoonist Paul Conrad, "Chain Reaction" towers 26 feet high. The surprisingly realistic atomic explosion mushroom cloud is made of copper chains welded together so tightly that it could be mistaken for a really tall sculpted shrub. Designed as a protest against the Cold War, the artwork was hated by most of Santa Monica's residents (they agreed with its politics, but thought it was ugly and scary), and it only received the approval of the city council by one vote. In 2012 Chain Reaction received landmark status, but certain city officials still hate the thing and claim that the now-tarnished artwork is a safety hazard that should be destroyed.

Mushroom Cloud Made of Chains

Address:: 1725 Main St., Santa Monica, CA
Directions:: On the east side of Main St., just south of I-10, in a little public park between the Civic Auditorium and the LA Superior Court building.
Admission:: Free
RA Rates:: Worth a Detour

Nearby Offbeat Places

Original Hot Dog On A Stick, Santa Monica, CA - < 1 mi.
Route 66 - End of the Trail, Santa Monica, CA - < 1 mi.
Camera Obscura - Giant Pinhole Camera, Santa Monica, CA - < 1 mi.
Pierce Brothers Westwood Memorial Park, Los Angeles, CA - 4 mi.

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May 22, 2013