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Federal Triangle Flowers, 1997 by artist Stephen Robin are living on the street in front of the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington D.C. as flowers in the concrete. They were treated this past summer at the the same time of Bearing Witness, 1997 by American sculptor Martin Puryear which is also located at the building complex.

Federal Triangle Flowers, 1997 by Stephen Robin, before treatment

The maintenance of the aluminum sculpture was straightforward, but an important step due to the very public location of the artwork. The two cast aluminum artworks are installed close to one another with each on separate stone pedestals. Both artworks feature bold curvilinear forms representing an oversized lily and rose. The sculptures can be readily touched and climbed on by the public who visit the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington D.C.

Federal Triangle Flowers, 1997 by Stephen Robin, before treatment

Both sculptures were in very good condition before treatment, with no damage noted. There was some limited surface soiling which is a typical condition issue of sculptures installed outdoors. The stone bases were also in excellent condition with no visible biological growth.

A close inspection reveals some surface soiling on both sculptures

An existing protective wax coating was worn from upward facing surfaces due to outdoor exposure, but no blanched wax was observed. In order to keep the sculptures in good condition, a simple surface cleaning and a renewal application of the protective coating was all that was needed.

The McKay Lodge Conservation Laboratory team began maintenance of the aluminum sculptures by pressure washing the metal and base. This step clears any dirt, debris, and friable coatings that might be on the surface. As a precautionary step, a dilute detergent was also sprayed on the stone pedestals to prevent future biological growth, though none was currently observed.

A paste wax is applied to the surface of both sculptures after dirt and debris was cleared

Paste wax was then applied to the clean, dry surface then buffed to a satin finish with microfiber cloths. Both plaza identification plaques were also cleaned and waxed.

The maintenance of the aluminum sculptures was now complete and they can continue living on the street as flowers in the concrete. The overall aesthetic of both sculptures was improved after treatment and the metal surface is now protected by a wax coating from the elements.

Federal Triangle Flowers, 1997 by Stephen Robin, the lily after treatment

The late artist Stephen Robin was born in Washington, D.C. in 1944. He received his Masters of Fine Arts in 1968 at the prestigious Cranbrook Academy of Arts in Michigan, and taught at a number of different universities including University of the Arts, Tyler School of Art, Temple University, Fleisher Art Memorial in Philadelphia, PA and John Herron School of Art of Indiana University in Indianapolis, IN.

Robin worked in many different media including aluminum like Federal Triangle Flowers as well as stone, cast iron, bronze, and cement. Robin has had countless solo exhibitions, group exhibitions, and commissions throughout the United States of America during his long career. Robin passed in 2018.

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