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Penelopeia by Caroline Courth
Photo CreditGSA\Caroline Sachay
Penelopeia
Photo CreditGSA\Caroline Sachay

Penelopeia

Artist
Year1999
Classification sculpture
Medium brick
DimensionsHeight: 10 ft. (304.8 cm)
Credits Commissioned through the Art in Architecture Program
Fine Arts Collection
U.S. General Services Administration
Location
  • The piece is a 10' brick arch serving as a gateway and is located in the central plaza on the north side of the US Customs building.  The sculpture's opening reveals the rough ends of construction and intimate details of the interior, the names and marks of the people of the immediate surroundings.  The sculpture contains two passageways through the opening, one on the north-south axis and one on the east-west axis.  The north-south passageway bisects the center of the arch.   The arch is illuminated at night by lights located in the ground that light the interior of the piece.  Greenery encircles the arch and the ground around the piece consists of a semi-circle of Belgian block brick inlay.  Court has acquired brick that was originally used to pave streets in Detroit from 1900-95.  Court sees the piece as a metaphor for travel both figurative and literal.  For instance our eyes and thoughts can travel, as the physical self has traveled over the Ambassador bridge and the social, political self has traveled through US Customs.