Seattle Summer
This past June, I made my way out to Seattle to visit Plural’s good friend and up and coming Chicago artist, Shannon Benine, while she was back in her hometown. Besides giving me a spectacular whirlwind Seattle tour, Benine currently has an installation up in the Woolworth windows in downtown Tacoma. Part of an ongoing series sponsored by Tacoma Contemporary, Benine’s 03.19.03 explodes into the street with an impact that is both visually and emotionally striking. Marking the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom, 03.19.03 is “an installation consisting of hundreds of 10 x 10 inch unfolded photograms of peace cranes, pinned to the walls and floors, covering the entire exhibition space.” The 267 unfolded peace cranes represent the number of casualties with ties to Washington state since the beginning of the war. With a subject matter that is always difficult to swallow, Benine brings a unique and beautiful angle to this often overdramatic type of work. For more information visit shannonbenine.com
Upon my first visit to Seattle, a little over a year ago, I realized that I had missed a few key gems that – as a graphic designer – I should be embarassed to have missed. So, this time around, I made sure my itinerary prioritized the Seattle Central Library and the SAM Olympic Sculpture Park before Gas Works Park, the Space Needle, and future landmark, Thai Tom’s.
In addition to Seattle’s city offerings, we were lucky enough this time to spend a night in a cabin on peaceful Whidbey Island before heading for Deception Pass and on to the city. (There are just some things the concrete jungle can’t satisfy, and I think double sky is one of them…)
It’s not often that one would take a trip to a library to see the library itself. The experience of the Seattle Central Library, designed by stellar architect Rem Koolhaas, is like no library experience I’ve ever imagined. Everything from the parking garage to the ceiling fans to the urinals coexist in absolute harmony.
Seattle is probably more well known for its underground tour than its architecture, however, there are a few architectural gems besides Rainier Tower and the Space Needle, but not too much more…
Luckily, while visiting the SAM Olympic Sculpture Park, I was able to catch a great installation by Geoff McFetridge, that ran from March 29, 2008–August 2, 2009, showcasing his insightful and clever illustrations, prints, and sculptures.
The SAM Olympic Scuplture Park /
Seattle, whether its raining or not, brings together the best in the northwest. Culture, Nature, and boats year round.
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