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Datum by Ryan McGinness
Photo Credit©2020 Philipp Scholz Rittermann
Datum
Photo Credit©2020 Philipp Scholz Rittermann

Datum

Artist
Year2019
Classification architectural arts
Medium Kynar coating on perforated aluminum panels
Dimensions10 × 840 ft. (120 × 10079 1/2 in.)
Credits Commissioned through the Art in Architecture Program
Fine Arts Collection
U.S. General Services Administration
Location
CollectionRecent Installations
  • Ryan McGinness created the pictorial frieze that wraps around the exterior of the San Ysidro Land Port of Entry’s employee parking structure.  Each of the 50 pictorial symbols that McGinness designed for the artwork was inspired by a different aspect of local history and culture.  The artwork’s title, Datum, refers to a basic, irreducible piece of information.  McGinness made many preparatory drawings for the symbols, and simplified each as much as possible so that only the most essential details remained.  These contemporary hieroglyphs have been arranged in a non-chronological order, to form a pleasing composition that is easily legible.  Some symbols celebrate the indigenous inhabitants of San Ysidro, while others identify local landmarks.  The symbols also document important historical figures, movements and events.