Client: American Real Estate Partners

Overview

This wall and ceiling sculpture titled “Potomac”, measures 20 feet high by 13 feet wide x 1.5 inch deep and is made from dyed aluminum on composite panel. It resides in the lobby of the newly renovated Rosslyn City Center in Arlington, Virginia. Located above one of Washington DC’s busiest Metro transit stations at 1700 North Moore Street, Rosslyn City Center has been reimagined as a contemporary workplace with state-of-the-art fitness, exciting culinary offerings and provoking art installations.

Goals

The client required a site specific artwork to be built into a recessed
wall and ceiling light cove. The client having newly purchased the building wished to renovate the lobby, featuring permanent artwork that would be open to public viewing. The space was designed to engage the public and bring the community into the center to enjoy it's many offerings. The theme of the Potomac River felt very important to the client. They wanted the topography, shape and colors of the surrounding river to be conveyed by the artwork but not in too literal a form.

Process

Artists Circle, the art consultant for the project, shared our previous large scale, lobby installations with the client. The client funded a round of final artwork proposals for which we submitted several rendering ideas and material samples. It was our abstract interpretation of an aerial view of the Potomac River and elegant finishes that awarded us the commission. The budget allowed for the artwork to fill out the entirety of the wall and ceiling niche, creating a large presence at 20 feet high by 13 feet wide. We submitted further design renderings for the project manager's review. It was vital to stay in continual conversation with ongoing construction adaptations, to ensure the artwork fit seamlessly into the site specific niche.