Baton Rouge Interstate Sculpture | What is 'Unity and Destiny'?

A Totem Beneath the Interstate

Drivers traveling through the intersection where Interstate 110 splits into I-10 East and West in Baton Rouge often glance up at a strange, concrete structure. The piece stands in BREC Expressway Park. It is an abstract object that appears to have no obvious purpose. Many commuters ask why it sits in such a stark location.

The sculpture is titled 'Unity and Destiny of Children.' It was created by local artist Emerson Bell in 1977. The figure reaches 26 feet into the air. Its presence is similar to a monolith, appearing out of place yet firmly grounded in the local history of the city. While it looks like a totem, the artist designed it with specific meanings in mind.

Origin of the Installation

Emerson Bell was 44 years old when he built the piece on site. He did not construct it in a studio and move it later. Instead, he shaped wire mesh and rebar on location, covering the frame with oriental stucco sand and cement. The project started in 1976 when Bell served as the artist-in-residence for the Expressway Park Summer Enrichment program.

Young students in the program often asked Bell when he planned to build something significant. He responded with this sculpture. Funding came from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Louisiana State Arts Council, and the Mayor's Office of Youth Opportunity. A brass plaque sits beneath the structure, detailing these contributors, though it is difficult for motorists to read while driving.

Meaning and Restoration

Randell Henry, an art professor at Southern University, recalls the construction process clearly. He knew Bell well and describes the artist as a man deeply connected to his local heritage. The sculpture depicts generations of children aiming for a higher state of consciousness. It features three distinct entrance points and seven slats that represent stages in life. Many people mistake the top portion for a crescent moon, but Bell insisted it was a bird representing freedom.

The piece required restoration after years of exposure to the elements. During this process, workers placed the structure on concrete pillars. Photos from 1977 show the legs originally made direct contact with the ground. Bell, who died in 2007, was a self-taught artist who played the flute and associated with local jazz legends like Alvin Batiste. His work persists as a testament to his desire to lift the spirits of local children toward a bright future.

Visiting the Landmark

Accessing the park for a close look is simple. Drivers can exit at North Boulevard and travel along T.J. Jemison Boulevard. The route turns into East Boulevard and then onto South Boulevard, where the park sits with tennis courts and a picnic area. The sculpture changes perspective from each of its three sides. It stands as a rare piece of public art that transforms the space beneath the interstate into a place of contemplation.