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River Legend by Dimitri Hadzi
Photo CreditGSA/Howard Schaffer
River Legend
Photo CreditGSA/Howard Schaffer

River Legend

Artist
Year1976
Classification sculpture
Medium columnar basalt
Dimensions123 x 183 x 34 in. (312.4 x 464.8 x 86.4 cm)
Credits Commissioned through the Art in Architecture Program
Fine Arts Collection
U.S. General Services Administration
Location
  • Dimitri Hadzi initially had planned to cast a bronze sculpture for this commission, but a trip along the Columbia River, during which he admired the natural geological formations, inspired him to use native Oregon basalt. The resulting arch-shaped, free-standing sculpture unites art and environment. The title River Legend refers to a Native American myth about a natural bridge that had crossed the river, but for Hadzi it also alludes to man's power over nature and the taming of the wilderness. Although the sculpture appears to be a monolith, it is actually five separate sections of hand-worked stone that are pinned together to form a monumental arch. Originally installed on the east side of the federal building, the sculpture was relocated to its current site in 2013.