Client: Crystal City Business Improvement District
Location: Arlington, VA, United States
Completion date: 2008
Artwork budget: $25,000
Project Team
Public Art Agent
Crystal City Business Improvement District
Other
Sheraton Hotel Crystal City
Overview
The mural gateway is painted on 35 – 9’ 4” high concrete rectangular panels that run 160 feet
along 18th Street between S. Bell and S. Eads in Crystal City, Arlington, VA.
Goals
Designed to complement a mosaic work across the street, Prism takes on the quantum physics conversation of light as particle and ray. Interpreted as 35 colorful pieces of similar size and scope, Prism demonstrates the effect and impact of white light when passing through an actual "prism." From monotone, comes vibrance - from concrete to color. The resultant facets of color add sparkle and interest to the pedestrian walkway and street at this key gateway to Crystal City. Located at 18th Street South and the Crystal City Metro.
Process
The artist worked with the Crystal City BID to design a 35 panel painting for a mural as a gateway art wall to the metro station. The artist worked with a team of two muralists and three artists to paint the mural during the months of September and October 2008. Staff at the Sheraton Hotel adjacent to the site, worked with the artist team to provide staging area for the work.
Additional Information
The Art Walls program infuses color and character into the textures and surfaces of Crystal City to brighten and energize Crystal City’s gateways and gathering spaces. To enhance the arrival experience for the thousands of daily Metro riders, pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles, the BID chose the 18th and S. Bell Streets Metro gateway area for the first set of Art Wall projects.