Three prominent American artists contributed works of art to the 4600 Silver Hill Road building—all were commissioned through GSA’s Art-in-Architecture program. These site specific works were commissioned specifically for the spaces which they now occupy.
American Varietal
(U.S. Population, by County, 1790 – 2000) 2009 encapsulated prints, lights, electronics, structural steel
American Varietal (Atlas) 2013
real-time interactive system (Interior, Main Lobby)
American Varietal (U.S. Population, by County, 1790 – 2000) is an illuminated mural derived from more than two centuries of census data. Artist, Jason Salavon, created a three-dimensional digital model to represent the population growth of all 3,171 counties in the United States. Each veil of color maps a specific county, with its color derived from the corresponding state flag, and its shape depicting population growth over time. The resulting artwork transforms a snapshot of statistical data into a dynamic visual experience.
American Varietal (Atlas) is a computer program that Salavon designed to allow for a deeper exploration of his digital model of census data. The touch-sensitive screen features interactive animations of the model, which will evolve over time as new census data is added every ten years.
Census (Interior, Library)
Large, abstract, colorful, dynamic—these are a few of the words that could be used to describe Sam Gilliam’s painting Census. Rather than unstructured fabric, the artwork consists of solid wood supports. First painting sheets of birch plywood, Gilliam then cutout individual pieces, joined some with piano hinges so that they fold, and reassembled the various shapes to create the final composition. As a result, colorful, patterned surface can be glimpsed through the holes in an upper layer.
The irregular edges and pieces jutting out from the wall reinforce the idea of the painting as an object occupying space rather than as a window into another world. Throughout his career, Gilliam has explored painting as matter, as a physical object that has the potential to assume different forms. Narrative—the “story” that viewers usually expect in a painting—is not part of his dialogue. Nor does his art aim to portray anything. Instead, he asks us to look at the painting itself and to comprehend the echoing shapes, colors, and patterns that play before our eyes.
Census Walk of Numbers or Census Art Walk or Census Walk between Earth and Sky
(Exterior, walkway that transverses the site)
In 2010, Anita Glesta’s commission, Census Art Walk was complete. The work explores the integration of the physical and social environment, using sculpture and landscaping to encourage connection between people and the land. The large-scale work includes a winding path and a series of reliefs that playfully disrupt concepts of order and categorization associated with counting.
A variety of numerical systems, including Native American, Mayan, Persian, Korean, Ethiopian, Hebrew and other that represent the diversity of the population of the United States, appear throughout the work. These numbers are seen on the walls, the benches and the sculptural mounds that appear as though they have risen from the earth. In this large scaled work, oversize numbers are laid horizontally on the earth, so that the symbols may serve as places for people to sit and reflect
GSA Fine Art Collection
The GSA Fine Arts Program manages the collection of fine art found throughout executive branch federal buildings in order to ensure its safety, accessibility, preservation, and appropriate use in order to enhance and promote high-quality work environments for federal agencies and the public they serve. The Fine Arts Collection is one of our nation’s oldest and largest public art collections. It consists of permanently installed and moveable mural paintings, sculptures, architectural or environmental works of art, and works on paper dating from 1850 to the present. These civic works of art are in federal buildings and courthouses across the United States. In addition, more than 20,000 small moveable New Deal works of art are on long-term loan to museums and other nonprofit institutions. Maintained by GSA as a part of our national and cultural heritage, the Fine Arts Collection serves as a reminder of the important tradition of individual creative expression.
Art in Architecture Program
The Art in Architecture Program (AiA) was established in 1963, based upon the recommendations of President Kennedy’s Ad Hoc Committee on Federal Office Space. The Committee’s report contained “Guiding Principles for Federal Architecture,” which recommended that “where appropriate, fine art should be incorporated into the designs of federal buildings with emphasis on the work of living American artists.” To accomplish this, GSA allocates at least one-half of one percent (0 .5%) of the estimated cost of construction of each new federal building or major repair and alteration projects of existing buildings to commission civic works of art appropriate to the building.
U.S. General Services Administration