In 1998, after the horrific embassy bombings in Tanzania and Nairobi, Kenya, the State Department began construction of more than 50 new U.S. embassies to address increased security needs. FAPE was invited to join them on these projects and provide major site-specific installations by American artists. Zimmerman and Dar es Salaam was the first project of its kind.
Mkusanyiko wa Marafiki/Assembly of Friends is a large-scale sculpture that groups six related geometric forms around a granite-rimmed pool. Made of African red granite, the sculptures’ flatness and thinness, as well as their striking silhouettes and outlines, were inspired by shapes used in traditional African art.
The sides facing inward have a smooth, polished finish, while those facing outward are textured and inscribed with abstract patterns. The sculpture thus contrasts and reconciles opposed states—smooth and rough, raw and finished, solid and liquid.
The work was commissioned by FAPE in 2002 and fabricated by Cold Spring Granite in Minnesota.
Thanks to a generous gift from the Brown Foundation, Inc., Houston, FAPE was able to acquire the artist’s drawings of the work and donate them to the embassy for display in their lobby.
FAPE Director Jennifer Duncan was with the artist for the installation and dedication. She had the privilege of recently sitting down with Elyn to reflect on the project and discuss what it means to her 20 years later. Please visit our Bloomberg Connects digital guide to listen to the series of audio clips.
For additional information, please watch Elyn’s Artist at Work video. FAPE was honored to collaborate with Ed Howard and his team at the Checkerboard Film Foundation on the project.
