Check out Horatio Law’s new public artwork South Park Vortex, at the dedication, 11 a.m. to noon, Saturday, March 2, at Marra-Desimone Park (Marra Farms) in Seattle’s South Park neighborhood. The event will be at the northeast corner of Marra-Desimone Park at 533 South Director St., between Fifth Avenue South and Seventh Avenue South. Law will be present to talk about his artwork.

South Park Vortex is a free-standing sculpture consisting of 550 laminated, blue, glass disks, supported by a stainless-steel frame. Each sandblasted disk features a unique snowflake pattern designed by South Park residents through a series of workshops sponsored by the Seattle Public Library’s South Park Branch. The artist states, “The artwork symbolizes the coming together of the South Park community to affect change and reflects the independent spirit of South Park: dynamic, creative, proud and inclusive.”

SPU installed a bio-swale to manage stormwater runoff from Marra-Desimone Park.  South Park Vortex is located on the catch basin within the swale. The artwork raises awareness of the Puget Sound region’s water cycle and environmental stewardship, especially as it connects to SPU’s work.

Law’s artwork includes mixed-media installations, public art projects and community residencies. He uses common cultural artifacts to explore issues of identity, memory and cross-cultural struggle in the evolving global community. Law is a Portland, Ore.-based artist whose public art projects include work for the New Columbia housing development and the Old Town/Chinatown Light Rail Station in Portland.

South Park Vortex was commissioned with SPU 1% for Art funds and made possible with additional assistance from South Park Arts, South Park Library, South Park Community Center, students of Concord Elementary School and Seattle Parks and Recreation.

IMAGE: Horatio Law; South Park Vortex; 2012; stainless steel, etched glass; 12’x12.5’x12.5′.