Art WORKS

Tucked between a mighty commercial/metro railway abutment and towering building structure, this sliver of concrete becomes a colorful and vibrant window into the culture of DC's beloved NoMa district. 

Acrylic and enamel paints. Central Armature Works Art Collection. Dimensions: 15’ x 22’

Winds of Evolution celebrates the industrial history of this site as the former Central Armature Works as it soars into its next incarnation as a dynamic public gathering space. Drawing inspiration from the energy created by industrial mechanics, a sweeping pair of cranes progress from left to right as if carried by this wind. The composition is dynamic and almost wave-like, signaling the spirit of invention, innovation, creation, and potential. 

Acrylic and enamel paints. 8’ 10” x 73’

Unwinding, is suspended from the gantry structure on the M Street side of the complex, east of The Morrow Hotel entrance. Evoking the image of unspooling wire, the bronze sculpture is inspired by the form of the electric motor armatures that were manufactured by Central Armature Works at this site. The spiraling line conveys a sense of energy and movement.

Bronze. 13’ x 3’ x 3’. Fabrication: Ignition Arts LLC. Central Armature Works Art Collection

Midway along the block, the golden colored Urban Optics: Periscope houses three different openings to view the surroundings either right side up, sideways, or upside down. These are located for people of all sizes to see from either end. 

Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Glass, Acrylic. Fabrication: Elemental Metalworks. Central Armature Works Art Collection. Periscope: 69 x 27 x 9 inches

At the corner of M Street and 3^rd Street NE, look into the orange Urban Optics: Camera Obscura to see upside down movement of people and cars passing. Light from the sun, or the adjacent bench at night shines through the pinholes that project images onto a translucent screen housed within a metal form. 

Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Glass, Acrylic. Fabrication: Elemental Metalworks. Central Armature Works Art Collection. Camera Obscura: 74 x  60.75 x 48 inches (large)  and 18 x 64.5 x 24 inches (small)

When asked to create engaging sculptures that encourage play for the 3rd Street sidewalk, the Glassatorium team dreamed up a series of three sculptures containing unique optical experiences that offer new ways to see our surroundings. Walking along the sidewalk, people can look into the opening of each sculpture to reveal the optics of the camera obscura, periscope and kaleidoscope.

At Florida  Street, viewers can look through either end of the green Urban Optics: Kaleidoscope to see the surrounding site repeated and merged into moving kaleidoscopic images. 

Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Glass, Acrylic. Fabrication: Elemental Metalworks. Central Armature Works Art Collection. Kaleidoscope: 58 x 24 x 24 inches