Peace Garden

1989  Washington, DC
Principal: Michael Wisniewski        

The site for a proposed Peace Garden is the tip of a peninsula along the Potomac River.  Our proposal is a meditation on the rhythms of history; on how individual actions, good and bad, can accumulate until suddenly a tipping point is arrived at and a significant historical event occurs.

An abstract red sandstone wedge arises out of the landscape. A metal cylinder is suspended on an off center axel at the top.   It slowly fills with water until the weight  rotates and tips the cylinder and all the water noisily cascades down a series of steps to a pool where quiet once again reigns.  People then wait for the next event which takes about 12 - 15 minutes.  

Under the wedge is a chapel; the south facing stair risers are studded with dichroic glass lens.  The chapel is lit with rainbows of light from the lenses.  When the water is cascading down the light shimmers.