New Achetypes - Seattle, WA
N 47° 36.420 W 122° 20.190
10T E 549868 N 5272834
This group of five metallic, column sculptures is located in the courtyard of the 1201 Third Avenue building (formerly Washington Mutual Tower), facing 2nd Avenue in downtown Seattle, WA.
Waymark Code: WMGTP4
Location: Washington, United States
Date Posted: 04/09/2013
Views: 6
Located in the courtyard in front of the
1201 Third Avenue building (formerly Washington Mutual Tower) is a group of five metallic sculptures. Four of the sculptures are large columns, in the Doric (plain) style, and the fifth sculpture is a lightning bolt that juts out from a nearby fountain which also contains metallic spouts that complement these sculptures well.
The AIC description for these sculptures says:
Abstract installation of a grouping of four columns and an arrow shaft embedded in rock, all made of stainless steel. The round columns have square bases and square caps and appear as if constructed of segmented pieces. These segments are all slightly out of alignment, and one of the columns looks like it has toppled - its segments are lying side-by-side on the ground. Another column has "lost" its square cap, which lies beside it at an angle. The steel arrow shaft, embedded in a rock, sits in a concrete fountain basin. he sculpture was commissioned by Wright Runstad and Company.
The sculptures were created by artist couple Anne and Patrick Poirier in 1990. They have a personal website here.
In my own personal observation, I was captivated by these large, stainless steel columns in the courtyard and I enjoyed the tension that was created with each column broken up into slices that feel as if an earthquake has made them break up into pieces. The columns make you feel slightly uncomfortable as you get up close to them, as though another tremble or two and they may topple down upon you! I also appreciate the very contemporary approach to a very ancient, architectural style.