REMEMBERING THE TONGVA - LIGHTING
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Eleven bronze & opalescent glass lanterns are located at 3 driveway entrances of the Villages at Heritage Springs, Santa Fe Springs. Each entrance has a specific set of lanterns: Tule; Red Willow; Coast Live Oak. The lanterns are companions to the 10 mosaic murals installed at the 5 pedestrian entrances to the site. Like the mosaics, the lanterns reference indigenous flora & fauna that were integrated into the Tongva way of life; plants and animals which we still see today in the natural environs of the Los Angeles basin.
The pedestrian and vehicular gates were designed to complement the mosaics and lanterns. Each picket symbolizes elements of life at Chokiishngna, the village established by the Tongva people in what is now Santa Fe Springs: Wavy picket represents water; Leafy picket represents flora; Basket picket represents dwellings ‘ki’, & basketry; Circle made of 2 joined elements represents the harmony of life enjoyed by the Tongva in the natural environment; Sunflower was a source of food, medicine, dye, fiber, oil. |