Letter
Dear Mr. Espinoza:
In its meeting of 20 October, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed a concept submission for a public art installation by artist Catherine Widgery along K Street, NW, at the east approach to the Washington Circle underpass. The Commission members present did not take an action, requesting revisions to the concept design with the following comments.
The Commission members expressed support for the overall concept of the artwork, Leading Lights, a series of thirty-four triangular columns of dichroic glass, which they characterized as fascinating and potentially beautiful. However, they questioned the proposed number and arrangement of the columns, and recommended a full-scale mockup of several columns in their intended locations to study this issue. They also observed that the creative use of light in urban environments could be distracting, suggesting that the proposed columns should exhibit a subtle effect of coloring and intensity when lit at night.
As a quorum was not present for the review of this submission, this recommendation will be placed on the administrative agenda for confirmation at the Commission’s meeting of 17 November. The Commission looks forward to reviewing the on-site mockup. As always, the staff is available to assist you with the next submission.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
Arthur Espinoza, Jr., Executive Director
District of Columbia Commission of the Arts and Humanities
200 I Street SE, Suite 1400
Washington, DC 20003
cc: Catherine Widgery, Widgery Studio
Ted Jutras, Golden Triangle Business Improvement District