Olympic Sculpture Park connects art to earth and city to ocean
Published: Mar 9, 2009
With its playful works of sculpture, crisscrossing earthen paths and panoramic waterfront view, Olympic Sculpture Park is one of Seattle's most representative spots.
Everything that the city is known for is right here: the blue water, the lush greenery and the city's arty, mildly eccentric vibe. Even the Space Needle can be seen from the park, peeking through the tall buildings of downtown.
Created both to display Seattle Art Museum's collection of outdoor sculpture and to connect the city center with the waterfront, Olympic Sculpture Park has a special allure.
As you step onto its grounds, take a breath of cool ocean air and see Alexander Calder's iconic "Eagle" silhouetted against Puget Sound, your senses are all but overwhelmed.
The sculpture pieces make a terrific backdrop for photographs. The rippling, rusted iron monoliths of Richard Serra's "Wake" hang over your head like frozen waves. Louise Bourgeois' "Eye Benches" look like artifacts from another world. And the swooping lines and graceful posture of Calder's "Eagle" are unforgettable.
Beautiful though the artwork is, the sculpture pales in comparsion to the eye-popping natural spectacle at sunset. On some perfect evenings, the sky is outlined in red, yellow and orange fire, and the Sound glows underneath it. Most people take a seat under the "Eagle" and stare toward the setting sun as if watching a favorite film.
- by Geoff Carter, Seattle Reporter for HelloMetro
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