Letter
Dear Mr. Whitesell:
In its meeting of 19 June, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed a proposal for a public art project to add artistic illumination to Murrow and Monroe Parks, on Pennsylvania Avenue at 18th and 20th Streets, NW. The Commission supported the proposal with the following recommendations, delegating the completion of the final review and approval to the staff.
The Commission expressed enthusiasm for the project, which they characterized as an elegant proposal to transform these two parks through the addition of lighting to existing elements. However, noting the distance between the two parks, they commented that any programmatic link between them would be difficult to comprehend. Given the subtlety of the lighting program—translating audio recordings of Edward R. Murrow's spoken words into visual patterns—they recommended providing some means of interpretation for the public, such as a digital site with a link posted at the parks. They also suggested studying further the proposed lighting programs within the nighttime context of office buildings to ensure that the new illumination will be visible as a distinct element.
For the delegated approval, the Commission members requested preparation of a mockup, along with submission of final construction documents and documentation of any proposed signage. As always, the staff is available to assist you with further development of this project.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
Steve Whitesell, Regional Director
National Park Service, National Capital Region
1100 Ohio Drive, SW
Washington, DC 20242
cc: Lionell Thomas, DCCAH
Peter May, National Park Service
Dulio Passariello