This piece is located in the Anchorage Federal Building and US Courthouse. It is located in a small reflection pool located in the center of the Federal building's atrium. The sculpture gets its name, Tlingit, from the natives who goes by the same name and live primarily along the northern stretches of the Alaskan coast.
It is the work of Robert Hudson, who created the piece in 1980 as part of the government's Art-in-Architecture Program. Its dimensions are 17' 10" by 11' 6" by 5' 10" and is in amazing shape, especially considering its age. Being inside surely helps preserve it. It is made of steel, with some sections painted in a rainbow scheme. It is a nice sculpture that changes with the viewers point of view. They look like boxes, but start to appear flatter as you walk around it. I like the way the rainbow painted sections compliment the bare aluminum. It has kind of an accent wall effect.
It is interesting to note that many of the buildings tenants that worked in the offices around the sculpture, at the time of its installation, did not approve of the commission, and occasionally threw things at Hudson as he began its construction.
If you would like to see it, you will have to go through the federal building's airport like security screening. So, I get it. It is not practical to come see the sculpture unless you are visiting the federal building or courthouse. Nobody likes going through It is nice to see though.
If you do decide to visit, there is metered street parking available as well as some commercial lots and garages available within reasonable walking distance. And if you do make a trip to see the mural, I suggest that it be part of a larger itinerary or on your way to some other attraction. FYI, the Anchorage Museum is directly across the street. read more