A Sense of Place

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

I don't know who chose the signature red chairs (the same hue of red as predominant Calder sculpture, "Eagle") but it was a brilliant move. When I see photos of the green park chairs from Luxumberg or Tuileries Gardens in Paris, I know immediately where those photos were taken. These chairs will bring that sense of place to shots taken at the Olympic Sculpture Garden. I do hope they will be able to take down the recently added wooden stake and wire low fencing that keeps visitors on the paths and off the newly established groundcovers and lawns. One would hope adopting low wire borders in a geometric shape, like the small curved arches so common on Paris garden paths, could replace the necessary eyesore that mars the design vision once the plantings are well established. Of course controlling people in public places is a bit like herding cats. Some kids are going to start rolling down those hills, some taggers are going to mar the art or walls, some skate boarders are going to find someway to break new territory, some naked people are going to get into the father and son fountain. The red chairs are about the only element people have any liscense with at present. One can move them anywhere. Seattle Seattle+Daily+Photo Olympic+Sculpture+Park chairred+chair outdoor+chair park+chair Calder+red path SAM park art Seattle+Art+Museum