Brilliant pops of color and integration with surroundings help Seattle’s public artworks shine.
Sonic Bloom Courtesy Carlton Canary
Sonic Bloom
The five giant neon flowers sprouting from the ground at Seattle Center aren’t there just for show. The solar-powered inflorescence, created by artist Dan Corson, educates about green energy and stays bright well into the night. Each stem is also equipped with a sensor so that when visitors come close the flowers release musical harmonies. This project was commissioned by the Pacific Science Center and Seattle City Light’s Green Up Program.
To see it: *Pacific Science Center, 200 Second Ave N
Capitol Hill Link station Courtesy Carlton Canary
Jet Kiss
Sound Transit’s public art program, STart, strives to inspire and engage ridership across the region. Floating above the light-rail platform at the Capitol Hill station, Jet Kiss is a dramatic installation by Mike Ross composed of two decommissioned Navy jets painted pink, their noses nearly touching in a kiss.
To see it: Capitol Hill Link station, 100 Broadway E; soundtransit.org
Mural Amphitheatre Courtesy Carlton Canary
Mural Amphitheatre
Originally designed by Japanese-born artist Paul Horiuchi with torn pieces of multicolored paper, this 60-foot mural was ultimately created out of Venetian glass in hues emblematic of the Pacific Northwest. The mural has served acoustic purposes as the amphitheatre backdrop for outdoor movies and concerts at Seattle Center since its installation in 1962.
To see it: *Seattle Center, 305 Harrison St; seattlecenter.com
Seattle Cloud Cover Courtesy Carlton Canary
Seattle Cloud Cover
No public art enthusiast should pass on a visit to the waterfront Olympic Sculpture Park. Situated among the sculptures is Teresita Fernández’s Seattle Cloud Cover, a partially enclosed glass bridge that uses saturated photographs of the sky to create a conversation about the intersection of art and nature, and which blurs the line between observation and participation.
To see it: *Olympic Sculpture Park, 2901 Western Ave; seattleartmuseum.org
Western Tapestry Courtesy Carlton Canary
Western Tapestry
Seattle’s iconic Pike Place Market has undergone a refresh with the ongoing development of the waterfront, and the Western Tapestry brightens up the concrete wall along Western Avenue. Designed by John Fleming, the installation brought 200 community members together to paint 1,700 aluminum strips in colors inspired by the market.
To see it: Western Ave below the market; *pikeplacemarket.org
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