Seeing Through the Universe, 2026
Ann Dunham Water Terrace, Obama Presidential Center, Chicago IL
Silver Cloud Granite
Oculus: 11'-4" x 12'-3" x 2'-0", Pebble: 2’-4” x 9’-7” x 8’-8”
Photography: Courtesy Obama Foundation
“Seeing Through the Universe” located near the Obama Presidential Center’s north entrance on the Ann Dunham Water Terrace, serves as a designated place on campus meant for reflection and relaxation.
The design for the artwork is a duet of stone sculptures that create a dialogue and counterpoint to one another, an upright ‘oculus’ element that mists, and a flat ‘pebble’ element that fills with water and gently cascades over. I wanted to create a conversation between these two pieces- inspired by the President and First Lady’s close and wonderful relationship to each other.
In both elements, one can peer either through or within each stone. The surface tracery of quartz creates a galaxy-like patterning which alludes to the larger universe we are intrinsically a part of- inspired by the far-sighted and forward-thinking yet also deeply reflective and visionary mind of our 44th President and the First Lady.
Both are cut from the same stone, Silver Cloud granite sourced from a quarry just outside of Atlanta, GA. Though each sculpture is different in shape and scale, they are equal in weight with each weighing approximately 19,500 pounds.
The artwork, terrace, and amphitheater invite quiet reflection as well as a place to gather, interact with, and connect to the fountains and gardens. The Ann Dunham Water Terrace invites both a sense of play and delight in the flow and sound of the water, as well as offering a quiet refuge. I am deeply honored to be a part of the Obama Presidential Center.
“When we thought about what may be a fitting way to commemorate my mother’s influence on my sister and me, I thought about where she would want to be in this space,” said President Obama. “I could picture her sitting on one of the benches on a nice summer afternoon, smiling and watching a bunch of kids running through the fountain, and I thought that would capture who she was as well as just about anything else."
The Ann Dunham Water Terrace was made possible by generous contributions from the Obama Administration and campaign alumni community.
Artist:
Maya Lin
MLS team; Camila Morales, Katharine Fritz, Eefee Wu, James Ewart
Commissioned by:
The Obama Foundation
Client Representatives:
John Lupinos, Roark Frankel
Arts Advisor:
Shore Advisory; Virginia Shore, Samantha Marques-Mordkofsky
Stone Fabrication:
Quarra Stone Company; James Durham, Alex Marshall, Brian Smith, America Cely, Frank meier, Ramsey Bartlett
Engineering:
Atelier One; Chris Matthews
Fountain Engineering:
DEW Inc; Dan Euser
Installation:
Mathena Construction Group; Kasie Mathena, Jim Morrison
Architect for Obama Presidential Center:
Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects
