Washington Gladden

OUR SINGLE GARMENT OF DESTINY

Inspiration

“All [people] are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.  Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”  – Martin Luther King, Jr., Letter from Birmingham Jail (1963)

These words from Rev. Martin Luther King, jr. were the inspiration behind this incredible sculpture that serves as a gateway not only to the park, but to the Creative Campus art district in downtown Columbus.  The artwork’s name was derived from this quoted passage in his Letter from Birmingham Jail.  Our Single Garment of Destiny was dedicated on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in 2020.

Design

The artwork was specifically designed for the Washington Gladden Social Justice Park by Artists Adriana and Julian Voss-Andreae.  To create the sculpture, the artists recruited models who were active in social justice causes in their hometown of Portland, Oregon.  

Visitors approaching the park will initially see a group of apparently solid steel figures.  But when passing by, the sculpture will start to visually disintegrate and eventually almost disappear.  Sophisticated engineering and the unique “slicing” method are used for the artwork’s construction to create an image that can become invisible when viewed at specific angles.  

Interpretation

Various interpretations for the representation of the sculpture are possible based upon the unique design of the artwork.  It can depict that for social justice to be achieved, it requires diverse people to come together to form a common vision for seeking justice.  It can represent that many in our community face great obstacles.  Regardless how great the need for support may be for these individuals, they seem invisible to the community at large whether by intention or neglect.  Nonetheless, they are still there and are an essential part of the fabric of any community.  What does the sculpture mean to you?

Sponsors

The costs of the sculpture and its installation were underwritten by the generous support of Loann Crane, Crane Group, and the Crane Family.