From the Archives: Hollywood Bowl Muse of Music, Dance, Drama

Completed in 1940, the Muse of Music, Dance, Drama is actually a fountain. The designer, George Stanley, also created the original Oscar statuette.

This image appeared in the 1955-56 Los Angeles Times Know Your City photography series. The Dec. 5, 1955, Los Angeles Times caption reported:

KNOW YOUR CITY, NO. 18 -- This is a familiar symbol to people who go bowling. But don't look for any tenpins, because it was built when a lot of people were in the alleys. It still refuses to dance to the music. Just for fun, What? Answer will be found on Page 32, Part 2.

ANSWER: Sure, it's the artistically modern statuary that overlooks the entrance to Hollywood Bowl. You've seen it hundreds of times. Its construction in 1940 was one of the last acts of the Depression-- a WPA art project.

The 200-foot-long, 22-foot-tall artwork sat neglected for years until a 2006 restoration project. For more, check out this 2006 Bob Pool story, “Getting a Splash From the Past.”