Because we wanted the Last Bookstore to be an artistic experience beyond just browsing for books, we commissioned several local artists and craftsmen to create permanent artistic creations for our store. Visitors often ask for more info, so here’s the rundown:
Augustine Kofie – Entrance Mural
The Last Bookstore was humbled to have world-renowned artist Kofie do our 5th St entrance mural. Kofie became known in the West LA graffiti scene in the mid 1990s and has gone on to become an important figure in the art world as a master of retro-futurist fusion, painting with distinctly vintage colors and bridging multiple styles like street art, mechanical design, and architectural drafting. Learn more: http://keepdrafting.com
Richard Nagy – Steampunk monitors & keyboard
Anyone into steampunk design is familiar with Nagy, known and featured in several books on steampunk for his custom keyboards, monitors, and other contraptions. He created his first point-of-sale monitor for the Last Bookstore as well as the Aviator keyboard and monitor for our Buy Counter. See more brilliance and commission your own steampunk computer at: http://datamancer.net
Chris Grun – Life-size Mammoth Head
Grun is an artist & designer of chameleon-like talent. He worked in video games for 11 years, went back to Art Center Pasadena for a season of rejuvenation, then moved into film design for the past 4 years. He’s currently character designing & art directing at Rhythm & Hues for some of the biggest films around.
You can see his process of mammoth-creation and other side work on his blog: http://cgrun.blogspot.com
Michael Piscitello – Book & Wire Wall Mural
Currently a student studying architecture at SCI-Arc in downtown LA, Piscitello has an automotive and construction background and a passion for mechanical assembly. The Last Bookstore gave him free reign to design a wire and paperback mural for the store, and the result is one of the store’s most recognizable art pieces.
Orenthal Goff & Brad Goldhorn – Light Fixtures
These two were the masterminds behind the bicycle spokes-and-rims chandeliers giving light to the center of the store. Goff is a fashion designer who also did the window displays for the re-opening of the Last Bookstore in June 2011 (now gone). Brad Goldhorn is a local electrician, light fixture designer, and musician.
Alan Spencer – Steampunk Bookcases & Tables
Last but not least, owner Josh Spencer’s father flew out from Hawaii to design and oversee the transformation of formerly lifeless corporate Borders bookshelves into rolling bookcases of vintage woodstain and iron pipe. He also single-handedly constructed steampunk tables out of salvaged redwood, iron pipe, and old barstools. The Last Bookstore wouldn’t exist without his help. Currently he’s back on Maui designing and building custom modern Craftsman-inspired homes.
