Scenes From An Opening

Olympic Scultpure Park by SAM (Seattle Art Museum)

We attended the grand opening of SAM's Olympic Sculpture Park Saturday morning, bright and early. We've been looking forward to it for years - I used to drive past the construction site when I worked on lower Queen Anne.

Lots of people! But Sophia was able to walk around and not get stepped on, so not too crazy. The only time I picked her up to hold her was while the Garfield Drum Band was performing - and as they marched past us she struggled a bit because it was pretty loud and scary sounding.

Lots of speeches, which we didn't hang around for since we arrived well before all of the official festivities. We got to enjoy the art without too much crowding, and the sun even peaked out at the end of the visit.


This is my 2nd favorite sculpture in the park. It is called "Typewriter Eraser - Scale X" (10). This is from quite a distance away, across the street in another part of the park. One art critic said "I love the way this piece looks here — like a wild-haired kid on a runaway unicycle!"



This is an up-close view of it from the other side. As I get ready to take my picture, another woman points out the plaque at the foot of the sculpture says it is illegal/not permitted to photograph this particular sculpture. Seems silly and they will never be able to enforce it! So much for "public" parks.



This piece is called "Eagle". We've agreed we just don't get it. It doesn't look anything like an eagle - and they definitely are not orange! It was created in 1971. I think the artist was stoned or something.



Here is an amazing performing artist. We guess right she was a jellyfish! She said she was going to be a "rain person" but since it wasn't raining, jellyfish it is. It was interesting to watch her walk around on those tall stilts.

Lots of rich and famous people were there today, but we didn't notice them in the crowds. Bill Gates was there, and Paul Allen, and Mayor Greg Nickels, and lots of other "movers and shakers" that donate a lot of money to the art scene in Seattle.



This is part of what is going to be my favorite art piece in the park. Called "Love & Loss", it's not complete. There is a beautiful artist's computer rendering of it as part of the online guide at the link provided below. It is the bottom-left piece on the map. If you click on it it will show you a picture of what it will look like when it is done. I can hardly wait!



"Wandering Rocks". Steve says it looks like that triangle puzzle designed like the Rubick's Cube.



"Stinger". The plaque explained it, and the brochure is out in the car. I am still contemplating this one.



"Wake" I think you have to stand among the pieces of this one to truly appreciate it. And look at it from above, also. From all directions.



"Father and Son" The Son can't be seen since he is in the tall water column to the right. The two fountains alternate every hour and they can never truly see or reach other.


I took more pictures, but you will just have to go see the place for yourself! I can't wait for a warm spring day and to sprawl on the lawn with a book and Sophia sunning herself by my side!

Online Olympic Sculpture Park Guide: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sculpturepark/