Focus On Art: Majolica

Majolica is a soft earthenware ceramic, fired to the "biscuit" or unglazed stage at approximately 1100 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the plaster of Paris molds are removed, the resulting form is then covered with a coat of an opaque lead glaze. Later, when this has set or dried, the brightly colored metal oxide glazes are a...dded on top of this first lead glaze coating. When fired for the second time, this time at 750 degrees, the interaction of the water which remained in the biscuit form, the opaque lead glaze and the final metal oxide glazes interact in the kiln to create the deep and brilliant translucent color specific to majolica. It is this glaze, the tremendous variety of whimsical forms, and the intense colors of majolica that make this ceramic stand apart from other wares and delight collectors.

Los Angeles artist Margaret Garcia set out to make momentous history visible with her work in tile at the Metro Red Line Universal City Station. You can imagine that "Universal" is not the original name of this place. Campo de Cahuenga was ...the name in 1847 when John C. Fremont and Andres Pico signed the treaty of Capitulation here, ending hostilities in California in the Mexican-American War and preparing for the yielding of "California" to the U.S.A. The territory would become not just the state of California, but also Nevada, Utah, most of Arizona, and part of Colorado, Wyoming and New Mexico. Garcia's brilliant tiles cover several panels with the remembrance of the peoples who met, struggled and sought peace and honor in this land, the indigenous Gabrielinos, the Mexican and African settlers and the U.S. immigrants. Edward F. Beale, a hero of the U.S. forces, went on to a storied career in the west. Beale Air Force Base is his namesake.