Beginning July 11, the iconic Rotunda inside Los Angeles’ Central Library will become home to Luceros y Penumbras: The World’s Largest Pop-Up Book. It’s a massive new art installation designed to break the current world record for the largest pop-up book ever created.
Created by Los Angeles artist and printmaker Daniel González, the monumental artwork is one of the centerpiece events celebrating Central Library’s 100th anniversary. It sounds every bit as magical as you’d imagine.
A monumental pop-up book designed to break records
The installation unfolds across two enormous pop-up spreads that will rotate weekly throughout the exhibition.
One features a towering interpretation of Central Library rising beneath a star-filled sky inspired by González’s childhood memories and family stories. The other centers around an elaborate “Tree of Wisdom,” filled with symbols of culture, heritage, animals, mythology, and the many communities that shape Los Angeles.
More than simply oversized pages, the work explores memory, identity, curiosity, and the role libraries play in shaping our lives. González, who grew up in Boyle Heights, says the library itself became a place of discovery during his teenage years and directly influenced his artistic journey.
Bringing a giant book to life takes a massive team
Creating a pop-up book at this scale isn’t exactly a one-person job. The ambitious project brings together paper engineer Matthew Reinhart, scenic fabrication specialists Goodnight & Co., exhibition designer Ann Marshall, and a larger creative team working at the intersection of art, engineering, storytelling, and architecture.
Visitors can also explore rare materials from the library’s Toy Movable Collection, an archive containing more than 2,000 interactive and pop-up books. Plus, free public programming will be available including workshops, story times, and paper engineering activities.
The opening coincides with Central Library’s 100th birthday celebration
The exhibition opens the same day as Central Library’s massive Centennial Festival, a day-long celebration featuring music, author talks, exhibitions, workshops, community activities, giveaways, and family programming. And admission is completely free!
Whether you’re a book lover, architecture fan, art enthusiast, or simply someone who wants to see a truly gigantic pop-up book in person, this may end up being one of L.A.’s most unexpected cultural experiences of the year.
📍 Location: Richard J. Riordan Central Library, Downtown L.A.
📅 Dates: July 11 through mid-November 2026
💵 Cost: Free admission
