André Bloc (Algiers, May 23, 1896 – New Delhi, November 8, 1966) was a French sculptor, magazine editor, and founder of several specialist journals.
Artists and urbanists such as Jean Dewasne, Etienne Bóthy, Jean Gorin, Félix Del Marle, Edgard Pillet, Victor Vasarely, Sonia Delaunay, Nicolaas Warb (née Sophie Warburg), Simone Servanes and Nicolas Schöffer were members of the group, which considered architecture, painting, sculpture and art in general as a social phenomenon.
Bloc's dynamic career pushed the theoretical, social, and technological boundaries of design and function, exemplifying the symposium's organizer Kenn Glenn's desire to "challenge the sculptors to expand their creative limits.
Bloc once stated that his idea for the tower design came from his studies since towns used to be distinguished by aesthetically beautiful and functional monuments like this.
He connected his project to a lengthy historic past of structures, such as the Islamic minaret, whose winding interiors might evoke in man a spiritual journey to enlightenment, by deploying a coiled framework.
Finally, work on the tower could begin courtesy of Louise Carlson's generous donation and extra funding from the LBCSC Foundation.
Bloc’s effort for carving out relationships between both people and the organic form continues to shine brightly on the CSULB campus thanks to the magnificent grandeur of the Carlson/Bloc Tower.
Constructed between the Molecular Science building and the University Student Union, the Carlson/ Bloc Tower stands as both an historical landmark and an artwork that was included in the 1965 California International Sculpture Symposium (CISS).
During this period, Bloc collaborated with several professionals, including structural engineers, architects, and contractors to develop plans and a maquette for the sculpture.
[5] Six years later in December 1971, and after generous donations from the Louise Carlson fund and the LBCSC foundation, the California State College at Long Beach (name of CSULB at the time) announced that the Carlson/ Bloc Tower was to be constructed.