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What do the entrance to the LACMA Museum in Los Angeles and a 1930s postcard of the waterfront in Tripoli have in common? Palm trees and, of course, the iconic cast-iron historic streetlamps. The use of such historical items in a contemporary art context is as significant today as it was yesterday, because they have quietly become part of the urban landscape without ever losing their function and especially their charm.
In his Urban Light installation, which has now become one of LA's landmarks, artist Chris Burden (1946–2015) has used 202 street lamps from the 1920s and 1930s to pay homage to the history of the city, its street lighting, but also to our time. The installation transforms these ordinary objects into a work of art, highlighting their beauty, craftsmanship and artisanal forms. The use of light also plays an important role in the installation, with the streetlamps illuminated at night to create a dramatic effect.
Overall, Urban Light is a celebration of Los Angeles' history as well as the present, and serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving our urban heritage and the materials that defined it. That's why today we are tracing the history of cast iron, a metal with a millennial history in outdoor, industrial settings, as well as public and private gardens, and elegant bistros decoration.
Composed mostly of a fusion of iron and carbon, cast iron could be called a true "old iron," employed since ancient times with evidence found in archaeological sites throughout Europe, Asia and Africa. In ancient China, iron casting was used to create weapons and tools, and the process was perfected during the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-220 B.C.E.). Iron casting was also widely used in ancient Rome, where it was used to create everything from statues and columns to weapons and armor.
As cities began to grow and develop in the medieval period, iron casting played an increasingly important role in construction and urban design until it reached its peak use during the industrial era. In addition to its use in construction, iron casting was also widely used in outdoor settings, such as parks and gardens.
One of the most famous examples is the Iron Bridge in Shropshire, England, built in 1779 and considered one of the greatest engineering works of the Industrial Revolution. The bridge was the first iron bridge to be built and still stands as a testament to the durability of this prodigious material.
Perhaps the most striking example of the use of iron for urban design is the Eiffel Tower, built of wrought iron in Paris, in 1889. The tower was built using more than 7,000 tons of iron, much of which was melted down in nearby foundries. Yet today we can consider to be equally iconic more common street furniture such as cast-iron benches, sidewalk fire extinguishers, letterboxes, fire escapes, and Burden's famous celebrated street lamps. These objects were not only functional, but also served as decorative elements, with intricate designs and embellishments often added to the ironwork.
Cast iron, and more generally iron alloys, can be used for mass production of machinery and industrial equipment but also for creation of works of art and sculpture with distinct ornamental value. Advances in technology today have made the process more efficient and precise, while allowing for greater creativity and experimentation in design.
A visit to the small Italian Museum of Cast Iron in Longiano, set up in a small church not far from Cesena, brings to light an important historical period in the Italian metallurgical industry and iron art in the period between the late 1800s and early 1900s and helps visitors appreciate the characteristics of this truly timeless material: its decorative properties, versatility, durability, texture, color and ornamentation.
From Los Angeles to Longiano, via the waterfronts of many Mediterranean cities, cast iron continues to occupy a supporting role in the urban fabric and, why not, even in our homes: discover our cast iron collectibles HERE.
