LOVE was designed by Robert Indiana during the Pop art movement in 1964 for a Christmas card. It became a symbol for peace during the Vietnam war. Now many sculptures are present all over the world, some in different languages. The original sculpture is in Indianapolis. I’ve always been fascinated with the LOVE art. I have seen two of these sculptures in person, one in Philadelphia and one here in Scottsdale at the civic center.

While visiting the arts center, I had dinner at one of my favorite little restaurants in Scottsdale, Los Olivos Mexican Patio. This little family owned establishment has been serving up fine Mexican food by the Corral family over 60 years ago. Throughout the years, they have maintained their family traditions in hand rolling their own tortillas and serving up their own unique flavors. Tucked away next to the Scottsdale Arts Center, this restaurant has a unique architectural design that helps brings an intimate family feel environment to it. On some nights, you can catch mariachi bands performing. I’ve been dining here for years and this place has always been special to me. Esta casa es su casa y vuelvan pronto.

Los Olivos in Scottsdale

Here’s a little history on the LOVE sculptures I’ve visited..

Edmund Bacon (who is related to actor Kevin Bacon) conceived Philadelphia’s LOVE Park in the 1930’s. It was constructed and finished in 1965.The plaza was dedicated to JFK not too long after that. In the 80’s, it became a popular skateboarding hang-out for kids due the curves of the concrete. ESPN’s X games were held in the park on a couple of occasions due to the popularity of skateboarding there. Controversy erupted in the 2002 when the city then banned all skateboarding at the park. This in turn produced many demonstrations. Even Edmund Bacon rode a skateboard through the park at age 92 to voice his opinion. This brought about the Free LOVE park campaign that is still going on today to bring back skateboarding to the park. Scottsdale purchased theirs through the Scottsdale Public Art Program with support from Pascal and Sylvie de Sarthe, Scottsdale and Simon and Gilian Salama-Caro, New York, in 2002, LOVE is a 144″ (h) x144″ x72″ (d) sculpture made of poly-chromed red and blue aluminum, weighing 3,800 lbs.

LOVE park in Philadelphia

LOVE sculpture in Scottsdale