New Wooden Sculptures Coming to 19th and L Streets

An intersection downtown will soon look a little more artistic.

Workers will install four new wooden sculptures in the small “rain gardens” on all four corners of 19th and L Streets NW this Friday and Saturday, announced the Golden Triangle BID this morning

Local artist Foon Sham will officially unveil his new wooden sculptures at 19th and L streets NW next Friday at noon. The temporary works of art were constructed from 3,700 pieces of wood and made to look like water-collecting vessels.

More information from the Golden Triangle BID press release:

“The sculptures bring natural elements to an unexpected place. They complement the function of the rain garden and contrast the busy urban intersection,” said Sham.

“Thousands of people walk by this busy intersection on a daily basis; we wanted to catch their eye with this unexpected art so they will take a moment to stop and enjoy the beautiful space. This project supports our greater goal to add visual diversity and interest to the public realm,” explains Executive Director Leona Agouridis.

The four rain gardens at 19th and L streets NW can filter tens of thousands of gallons of runoff annually by capturing rainfall and controlling the storm water overflow. They were built by the Golden Triangle BID in partnership with the District Department of Energy & Environment, with funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 319 Program.

The new sculptures are not the first public art pieces in the Golden Triangle; the BID continuously adds color and texture throughout the neighborhood. Past projects include artistic lights along the Connecticut Avenue Median, art on the walls of the entrances to the Farragut North and Farragut West Metro stations, six artistic bike racks throughout the neighborhood, and most recently, light art at Murrow and Monroe Parks.

Renderings courtesy of Golden Triangle BID