About the artwork

American Index, The Central Intelligence Agency Main Entrance Hall, CIA Original Headquarters Building, Langley, Virginia

Taryn Simon
Photograph, chromogenic color print
113 x 94.6 cm
2007

Edition 3/7 + 2 AP

 

Inlaid in the floor of the main lobby of the Original Headquarters Building is the emblem wich has been the Agency’s since February 17, 1950. It is comprised of three representative parts: the American eagle, “representing strength and alertness”, the shield, “the standard symbol for defense” and the 16-point compass star, “representing the convergence of world intelligence data at a central point”.