Letter
Dear Mr. Clarke:
In its public meeting of 22 January conducted by videoconference, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed a concept design submission for public artwork to be installed within the north entrance portal of the Dupont Circle Metrorail Station, located in northwest Washington, D.C. The Commission approved the concept with the following comments.
The Commission members strongly commended the proposed artwork—an array of 528 vertical metal stems supporting oblong acrylic forms that would refer to Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass, an excerpt of which is inscribed on the inner face of the portal’s cylindrical wall. They characterized the concept as brilliant, citing the use of color and the sense of motion that the dynamic composition and lighting of leaf-like forms would create. As the design is developed, they advised careful study of the technical details to ensure the project’s maintenance and long-term durability. They recommended a matte or brushed finish for the stainless-steel metal panels proposed to cover the existing areas flanking the escalators. They also suggested exploration of a seasonal color palette in the programmable lighting to complement the primary palette of greens, yellows, and blues of the acrylic leaf forms.
The Commission looks forward to further review of this innovative project. As always, the staff is available to assist you.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
Randy Clarke, General Manager and CEO
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
300 7th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20024
cc: Michael Szivos, SOFTlab