Client: Larry Kirkland

Overview

When The Museum of the Bible commissioned Artist Larry Kirkland to create the entrance portals to its Washington, D.C. building, Kirkland selected Zahner to help bring his artistic vision to reality. The finalized design contains the first 80 lines of Genesis written in Latin, as originally printed in the Gutenberg Bible, but milled in reverse, to mimic the orientation of printing plates. At nearly 40 feet high, the massive portals are the largest of their kind in the world.

Goals

Lining the entryway facade, Kirkland's design sets the tone for each visitor's museum visit. Drawing upon the larger museum themes, as well as the technical history of Gutenberg's press, the portals are a reminder of how The Bible became widely available. The artwork is an integral part of the building's structure and alludes to the experience within.

Process

As custom fabricators, Zahner's process is reliant on collaboration with artists. We help bring each unique project to fruition using a clear process. From initial concept design to engineering, fabrication, delivery, installation and maintenance, we offer an unparalleled experience for artists, collectors and owners.