When first starting this financial investment firm, the founder was deeply inspired by Franklin’s advocacy for saving. Franklin demonstrated an astute financial savvy. He translated his wisdom into simple, yet timeless, advice, such as “waste neither time nor money, but make the best use of both” and “industry, perseverance and frugality make fortune yield.” 

Understanding the client’s high regard for this historical figure, whose visage appears throughout the firm's buildings and grounds, CC/AA identified Richard Deutsch as an exceptionally qualified public artist who could create a work that reflects the inspiration and mission behind this company. Deutsch truly rose to the challenge of creating a sophisticated site-specific artwork that is responsive to the traditional architecture of the corporate campus and a celebration of one of our nation’s founding fathers.

Deutsch was particularly inspired by the fact that Benjamin Franklin was a problem solver. Union of Minds, an artwork environment comprised of a monumental stone sculpture, paving design, and granite walls engaved with text, distills Franklin's view of the world as a dynamic puzzle to be resolved. The 12 puzzle pieces of its central sculpture honor the 12 members of The Junto Club and the collaborative, innovative problem-solving they represented. Each separate piece contributes to the creation of a perfect, cohesive and elegant whole. Networking and building unity through collaboration were Benjamin Franklin’s strongest qualities. This artwork symbolizes the unity of collective enterprise as illustrated by a solved puzzle, combining its parts into a oneness of form.