The art sculpture titled “Orit Haj” by Los Angeles public design artists Didier Hess that draws influence from the Tataviam indian tribe who resided in the Santa Clarita Valley in 450 AD, has earned acclaim by the Public Art Network as being named one of the 50 best public art projects in 2013. 

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 The Public Art Network Year in Review program recognizes exemplary and innovative, permanent or temporary public artwork created in the previous year. Over 350 projects were submitted and only 50 were selected. 

 The “Orit Haj” sculpture is located in Vasquez Rocks Interpretive Center in Acton-Agua Dulce and is composed of an architectural building material called ram earth. Ram earth is composed of soil, cement, compacted into forms to create a solid earthen structure. Artist partnership Didier Hess incorporated sustainable materials in the project.  

  Overtime, the artwork is intended and expected to erode in order to reveal personal artifacts to act as complex symbology in relation to Newhall’s original residents, the Tataviam tribe. “Like the fading Tataviam culture and language, Orit Haj will also transform and dissolve with time to reveal inspiring artifacts and legends that have been left behind,” according to a statement provided by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission. 

 “This innovative artwork reflects these aspects of Vasquez rocks and the area in both its application and presentation,” said communications deputy Tony Bell.  

“It is a tremendous asset to the interpretive center and its different our park visitors will find it to be very interesting and reflective of our area’s rich culture and history of the natural world,” according to his statement. 

For more information, visit Public Art Network’s site.

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