Jonathan Cohen's photos with the keyword: Columbia Road NW

The Parable is a public artwork by American artist Jimilu Mason, located at The Festival Center – an evangelical ministry – at 1640 Columbia Road, N.W. in Washington, D.C. The bronze sculpture shows a man seated on a large cinder block and at his feet is a carpenters square. Dressed in only a shirt and pants, his shirt sleeves are rolled up above his elbows and his collar is open. His face wears a beard and mustache and his feet are shoe-less. His arms reach out in front of him, and he looks as if in conversation. According to the sculptor, Jimilu Mason, the sculpture "represents a Christ... teaching that there is more than brick and mortar to building a city. The leaders must be good servants."

The three bright parrots overlooking Columbia Road symbolize the ethnic diversity that characterizes the neighborhood – the birds are native to Central and South America, Africa, and Asia. Artist G. Byron Peck initially planned the mural to celebrate the vibrant Latino Adams-Morgan community, featuring two parrots with an Aztec relief to honor the rich tropical forest and ancient Indian civilization. Latino culture also is represented in the work by a Mexican deity signifying renewal and rebirth – perhaps an allusion to community healing after ethnically charged riots in the neighborhood two years earlier. A Polaroid image of children from a variety of ethnic backgrounds anchors the mural in the here and now.

Santeria is a religion of the West African diaspora. It is based on native African traditions that were brought to the Americas by African slaves. Native American beliefs, Catholicism and the experiences of slavery merged with these African religions to form what they are today. Santeria developed in Cuba, although it can be found in many countries today, primarily spread through emigration from Cuba. The orishas are the gods of Santeria. In Yoruba mythology, Yemaya is the mother goddess, patroness of women, especially pregnant women. According to many stories, she was present at the beginning of the world and all life comes from her, including the Orishas. She is the owner of the waters and the sea. Her colours are blue and white like the waters. In particular, she is the mother of Chango, one of the most popular Orishas of the Yoruba pantheon. He is the Orisha of thunder, lightning, justice, manly strength and passion, and the fire dance. The owner of thr Bata drums, he represents dance and music, and symbolizes the joy of life, the intensity of life, male beauty, passion, intelligence and wealth. His colours are red and white.