Tuesday, February 11, 2014

X Marks The Spot

The Importance of a Giant Doughnut Save the doughnut.

Sometimes, all you need is a big sign to draw people into your place of business.  Sort of like a giant "X marks the spot" kind of thing.  In this case, it's a giant doughnut with pink frosting and sprinkles.  Said doughnut sits atop Mrs. Chapman's Angel Food Donuts in the city of Long Beach, California.  While not as well-known as the iconic giant doughnut that sits atop Randy's Donuts just of the 405 Freeway, on the way to Los Angeles International Airport, nevertheless, the doughnut of Long Beach has become a beloved landmark.  Unfortunately, time and the environment have taken its toll on the giant sprinklicious.  It has been structurally compromised and in danger of being taken down.  The preservation-minded citizens of Long Beach, together with pastry lovers at the Los Angeles Conservancy, are rallying to find a way to save the doughnut.  More than just being an "X marks the stop," the giant doughnut can be taken into context with other monuments like the Pup-n-Tail hot dog stand in West Hollywood or the Brown Derby Restaurant.  The Pup-n-Tail and the Brown Derby are part of a body of architecture that architect Robert Venturi coin "Duck."  In his book Learning From Las Vegas (1972, 1977), Mr. Venturi used the terms "Duck" and "Decorated Shed" as a way to describe building iconography.  Thus, the dough of Long Beach can be identified as "Duck" because its exterior identifies the interior, a doughnut shop.

Save the giant doughnut

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