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Discovery Communications

www.discovery.com

Silver Spring, MD

2003

Commissioned Monumental Exterior Enamel on Steel Mural

Letter of Recommendation

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The largest exterior mural on the East Coast: "A Brushstroke of Discovery" was commissioned and installed by Artists Circle Fine Art for the new world headquarters of Discovery Communications, Inc. and its flagship, The Discovery Channel in Silver Spring , Maryland . Conceived and fabricated by Narcissus Quagliata, the work is a 175 foot long painting on concrete reinforced steel panel. With over 100 distinct images, many hidden across the expansive creation, the mural follows the scope of human discoveries from man's earliest notions of self awareness to the expansive, undiscovered depths of the universe.

Initially, Artists Circle Fine Art presented over 25 artists qualified to take on a project of this magnitude. Eligible artists needed the technical know-how to convert their imagery to a monumental scale combined with previous experience overcoming similar challenges. The artists also had to successfully address the issues of durability associated with a work of art to be installed at street level, in an urban area and on a major vehicular and pedestrian traffic route. Finally, candidates would have to be comfortable with the budget and schedule and be available to participate in the public/private sector review process.

Beyond bringing qualified candidates to the table, Artists Circle Fine Art stayed actively involved throughout the project. The firm's responsibilities included coordinating contracts and design proposals as well as managing the logistics of site visits by the artists to Maryland and by the client to the fabrication facility in Mexico . Artists Circle Fine Art served as the liaison between the artists, Discovery Communications, Cushman & Wakefield project manager, SmithGroup architects, Clark Construction, and Alfher Fabricators. From the initial meeting to the last punch list item, the project took 14 months to complete.