The Hollywood Roosevelt announced today the hotel’s iconic pool mural painted by David Hockney is undergoing an exciting two-week restoration project beginning on February 26th. 
Originally completed in 1988, a team of professional art conservators from Los Angeles-based RLA Conservation of Art + Architecture will be carefully restoring Hockney’s pool mural to be enjoyed for decades to come. Both the hotel and the Tropicana Pool have been designated Historic-Cultural Monuments by the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission, which recognizes and protects the city’s most cherished and significant historical resources.
“The Hollywood Roosevelt is extremely fortunate to have a David Hockney mural in our very own Tropicana Pool,” says Don Jacinto, RVP of Journal Hotels & Managing Director of The Hollywood Roosevelt. “We consider ourselves stewards of this special piece of Los Angeles history and we look forward to making this investment in conservation so that guests and visitors can enjoy Hockney’s vision as it was meant to be seen. After all, where else can you swim in a pool painted by David Hockney?”
During the course of the project, the pool will be unavailable for guest use, however, guests are invited to view the restoration as-it-happens from the designated viewing areas around the pool. For sun seekers, The Hollywood Roosevelt rooftop will be transformed into a sun lounge with comfortable chairs and amenities, along with an incredible view of Los Angeles.
Considered one of the most influential British artists of the 20th century, David Hockney is famed for his contributions to the pop art movement of the 1960’s and has made numerous contributions to the art landscape over the decades, working in painting, drafting, photography, printing and even stage designing and iPad drawing programs. Legend has it that Mr. Hockney came to The Hollywood Roosevelt one beautiful morning in 1988 with a can of blue paint and a mop. Over the span of about four hours working at the bottom of the empty pool, he covered it with his signature circular brush strokes. Once the pool was refilled, the art seemingly came to life when the water was disturbed, weaving and dancing under the sunny Los Angeles sky.
Hockney’s extraordinary artwork lives outdoors and is in constant contact with water, therefore, it requires regular care to protect the original bright colors. RLA Conservation of Art + Architecture, the conservation team selected by the hotel with offices in Los Angeles and Miami, specializes in outdoor artwork in areas of the country with hot climates and lots of sunshine.
The team has been working over the past few months to select the right colors to replace areas of loss and ensuring all of the artist’s decisions will be protected during the repair process. Work begins once the pool is drained and guests will be able to follow along with before, during, and after photographs and a time lapse video.
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