Explore the Location and installation of this artwork.
Several locations were initially considered for the sculpture.  In 1989, the Arts Commission approved a site located at 14th Street and Olympic Boulevard, while a site facing the Memorial Park Gymnasium was also considered and approved. Chain Reaction was finally installed in 1991 on the lawn of the Santa Monica Civic Center.  It resides on the east side of Main Street between the Santa Monica Courthouse and the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, across the street from the campus headquarters of the RAND Corporation.  The sculpture is located approximately four city blocks away from Santa Monica beach and the Pacific Ocean, just east of the Santa Monica Pier.Two plaques appear at the base of the sculpture, with one bearing the name of the artist (Paul Conrad), the title of the work and date (Chain Reaction, 1991), a description of the material used to construct the sculpture (Copper chain link and stainless steel) and information about the work (Collection of the City of Santa Monica.  A donation from an anonymous donor.  A project of the Santa Monica Arts Commission).  The inscription on the second plaque reads, "This is a statement of peace.  May it never become an epitaph."Chain Reaction was formally dedicated the next year at the "Peace Day" festival at the Santa Monica Civic Center on August 1, 1992. Hiroshima survivor Kaz Suyeishi spoke at the dedication.
RAND Corporation Kaz Suyeishi Santa Monica Pier Paul Conrad Santa Monica Civic Auditorium Santa Monica