At the corner of Old Pineville and Yancey Roads in Charlotte, North Carolina, you’ll find CBI Workplace Solutions’ headquarters and flagship building, the place where CBI and the Live Love Serve Foundation have been doing business in and serving the local community for more than 25 years. If you are a regular to this area, you’ve probably noticed the evolution of the building’s design and expansion, as it has gone through a few necessary renovations to accommodate the business’s growth. Last year, the building gained quite a bit more character as a long standing vision came to life for Founder and CEO, David Longo.
“We commissioned a unique mural for the side of our building to demonstrate the mission and values that are at the core of our business and our hearts – We Exist to Love and Serve,” says David.
The Binocular Wall, as it is so fondly referred to by CBI’s associates and those who are familiar with the painting, represents viewing others through a lens of love, dignity and respect.
“We wanted our mural to be a message to the Charlotte community. While the wall is a beautiful representation of color and art, it also tells a story about how we should treat others on a daily basis,” says David. “Only by seeing the world through the perspective of another can we gain compassion and empathy for our fellow man.”
Thank you (CBI) for your leadership in the community. I drove around town with my kids yesterday to just get out, and your beautiful building was our first stop." -- Lisa Farley, Charlotte, N.C.
The mural is filled with many artistic symbols that tell the story of CBI and the Live Love Serve Foundation:
- Faces of all ethnicities reflect the diversity of our city and world. Each figure is painted in grayscale to convey our skin is ultimately superficial.
- Bold and exuberant colors are used in the background and contrast with the monotone figures looking through the binocular lenses. This symbolizes that by looking at others through a lens of love, dignity and respect you can see the world and all of God’s creation as it is -- bold, beautiful, and not belonging to only one person or group of people.
- The binoculars are three dimensional and house a one way mirror to give a different perspective whether you are walking or driving by.
- The bible verse 1 Corinthians 10:31 is displayed on the wall. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
- The bible verse Psalm 82:2-4 is displayed on the wall. “How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked? Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
- An origami dove sits in the center of the mural to remind man that peace and harmony is most important.
- As the mural wraps to the side of the building it incorporates the words "We Exist to Love & Serve" challenging all to love and serve.
This mural was the contribution of many to the Charlotte community. The team behind the mural consisted of: long-time architecture partner Gensler, who developed an initial art concept; Local Impact Consultant Jenny Vallimont, who helped seek submissions for a partnership with local artists; and Osiris Rain the artist himself who brought this vision to life with his styles, creativity, perspective and team.
Next time you drive down Old Pineville, and catch a glimpse of our mural, think about its symbolism, meaning, and the impact of loving and serving others.
