National Mall to get 6-acre sand, soil portrait

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Smithsonian says it has commissioned a portrait made out of sand and soil that will stretch over six acres at the National Mall.

Cuban American urban artist Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada will do the work. The piece is a composite portrait of several people photographed in Washington and is called “Out of Many, One,” the English translation of the Latin “E pluribus unum,” which is on the seal of the United States.

The piece will go between the World War II and Lincoln memorials. The work is expected to start in September. The finished product is expected to take 2,000 tons of sand and 800 tons of soil and be on view during October.

Rodríguez-Gerada is known for his large-scale “facescapes.” This is the first to be placed in the United States.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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