CROWN POINT — An interactive art project inspired by an artist's vision for the streets of Los Angeles could be coming to Crown Point.
Colette Miller created the Global Angel Wings Project in the streets of Los Angeles in 2012 and in a statement said they were "painted to remind humanity that we are angels of this earth." They are human-sized angel wings with which people take photos, thus becoming part of the work.
Miller has gone on to paint wings globally including in Kenya, Australia, Taiwan, France, Cuba and Mexico. But it was the Los Angeles wings City Councilwoman Carol Drasga saw on a trip to the City of Angels that inspired her to do something similar in downtown Crown Point.
She discussed her plan with the Historic Preservation Committee, which would have to approve the project because it would be in an historic district.
"You stand inbetween the wings and you are an angel of the earth" Drasga said. "Not only does it introduce art to our downtown, it brings in foot traffic. If you can go to the sites where these wings are, it is jam packed with people photographing themselves between the wings."
Drasga said the downtown statues project, which she spearheaded and is now in its third year, has tripled foot traffic to the square.
"Foot traffic is critical for the life of our downtown," she said.
Drasga's plan is to have the wings painted on the Antiques on Main building on the wall facing the alley across from Diamond Jim's.
"It's a very safe alley," she said. "There is no restaurant there demanding deliveries. You have to be careful, but there is plenty of room."
Drasga was joined at a recent meeting by Antiques on Main owner Cindy Walsh, who told the commission she approves of the project and the use of her wall. Drasga said she has contacted the art department at Crown Point High School and plans to have students work with Walsh on creating the design for the angel wings — one for adults and one for children.
Drasga said the project would make a statement and be part of a global movement. As for the paint, Drasga said she's talked with a professional painter who said there is a paint that can be used which is "permanent until you remove it." At some point the paint could be power-washed off or if the wings remain, repainted in about five years.
Several commission members expressed concern about vandals or those who think they can start painting walls anywhere. They also said they've turned down murals in the past and were concerned about what would occur if they approve the wings project.
"My hope is you would see value of art downtown, and maybe it is time to look at our downtown and say 'is this art and is it of value,'" she said. "When you see some of our walls they can all use murals. They are a terrible eyesore. Art is an attraction. That's not a bad thing."
Commission member Dan Rohaley said the way to approach it is as a temporary art project that, if there were to be a lot of blowback, "the plug could be pulled."
"I just think it's a good idea," he said. "It's innovative. It's a great idea to bring traffic downtown. I think people love the statues and they'll love this."
Drasga said if approved, the project would probably begin in the fall. She plans to return to the commission's meeting in August with more information.
Miller, when contacted by The Times about the proposed wings in Crown Point, said she has a hand in the project because Drasga was inspired to bring the project to the city, but she said the global angel wings project isn't about her.
"It was for the people — humanity — and they responded spontaneously and it took flight of its own," she said.