Focus on Chain Reaction (sculpture) and discuss the Maintenance and restoration.
The sculpture was surveyed and considered "well maintained" by the Smithsonian's "Save Outdoor Sculpture!" program in March 1995.  After Conrad died in 2010, the city of Santa Monica began to reevaluate the structural integrity of the sculpture. In June 2011, an inspector observed children climbing the sculpture.  Safety tests were performed showing that the underlying structure built using fiberglass and copper chains was stable.  However, questions were raised about the long term integrity of  the fiberglass. An inspection found rust and corrosion on the steel frame skeleton and the revealed that the anchor bolts holding the sculpture to the base were weakened. Shortly after the inspection, the city installed a safety fence around the sculpture to protect the public.The city's Arts Commission voted in February 2012 to allow the work to be removed from public display. The Santa Monica City Council approved the Arts Commission's recommendation the next month. The city council delayed taking action to allow supporters time to raise funds to cover the cost of repairs. Los Angeles Times art critic Christopher Knight defended the sculpture, citing a 2012 report commissioned by the city from a structural engineer who concluded that "the sculpture is not an imminent hazard nor should it be considered dangerous".While fundraising to preserve the work was underway, the city of Santa Monica filed an application in May 2012 to nominate the sculpture for landmark status. After a public hearing in July, the Santa Monica Landmarks Commission selected the sculpture as a landmark. Chain Reaction is the first work of public art named a landmark by the city of Santa Monica.The City Council set a deadline of February 1, 2014, for supporters of the sculpture to contribute to restoration funds, otherwise the sculpture could face decommissioning.  Community activists debated how to pay for needed repairs and a series of fundraisers were held to contribute to the restoration project.  On February 25, the Santa Monica City Council voted 6–1 to use $100,000 in public donations to finish refurbishing the work.
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