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After an eight-month hiatus, the National Geographic Society has resurrected plans to remove MARABAR, the site-specific installation by New York-based artist Elyn Zimmerman located at the organization’s international headquarters in Washington, D.C. The artist has recently written that the installation is the "seminal work" in her career. In a new plan filed with the D.C. Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB), in advance of a March 4, 2021 hearing, National Geographic is now proposing to move part of the installation to Canal Park, located in Washington, D.C. near the Navy Yard. However, National Geographic is once again withholding material the HPRB needs to make an informed decision.

As a reminder, on August 1, 2019, the HPRB approved National Geographic’s plaza renovation plans that would have resulted in the demolition of MARABAR. ������������ (������������) examined the proposal submitted by National Geographic and its architect, Hickok Cole, and made the claim that the proposal had not been provided sufficient information about the artwork and the impact the proposed campus revitalization would have on MARABAR.  The “Existing Site Plan” (below) didn’t specifically label the artwork as it did other significant features. National Geographic’s attorney Carey Kadlecek, Goulston & Storrs, wrote that “NGS was forthcoming in its plans to remove MARABAR,” but he also wrote that “there was no need for NGS to specifically highlight the removal of Marabar beyond any other elements of the existing plaza.” Mr. Kadlecek’s assertion notwithstanding, the HPRB Chair noted the “issue of the sculpture was not raised” by National Geographic and Hickok Cole. Indeed, HPRB member Outerbridge Horsey stated that MARABAR “should have been brought to our attention” by National Geographic and Hickok Cole.

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