Sand, Gravel Portrait in D.C. Highlights Aggregates

Facescape-150
 

The largest gravel, sand and soil portrait ever commissioned by the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery on the National Mall naturally caught the Facescape-344attention of the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (NSSGA).

The massive image, stretching over six acres, is the work of Cuban-American artist Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada. His “Facescape” is a composite portrait of more than one hundred people photographed in Washington, D.C., and is aptly called “Out of Many, One.” Creation of the piece began in September and will be on view during the month of October.

“’Out of Many, One’ highlights the important role that stone, sand and gravel has in our country. Just as sand and gravel are essential to this portrait, aggregates are literally the foundation of our economy and society,” NSSGA’s President and CEO Mike Johnson said.

Chaney Enterprises Inc., of Waldorf, Md., an aggregates producer and NSSGA member, supplied the 2,000 tons of sand required to create the image.

To support the project, the association’s Rocks Build American Foundation is sponsoring the portrait on a live webcam positioned at the top of the Washington Monument. Click here for a link to the webcam.

Johnson added that the materials in ”Out of Many, One,” sand and gravel, are the same essential raw materials needed to construct every home, building, road, bridge and many everyday consumer products.

“The aggregates industry contributes to the safety and security of the nation, but is often taken for granted. We are proud to support this amazing project,” Johnson said.

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