Artist Nickolus Meisel recently completed an artwork at the Westlake Avenue and Seventh Avenue stop on the South Lake Union line of the Seattle Streetcar. Cloud Haiku is a series of four cast-bronze pillows arranged along the streetcar platform. The artist wanted to use his artwork to create an urban Zen garden, a space for pause in the urban traveler’s busy day. Meisel combines imagery and materials in unexpected ways to evoke a sense of wonderment in both passersby and streetcar riders. Meisel says, “This work harkens to the timeless American love affairs with wandering. It marries travel and site, possibility, waiting, wondering, wandering and resting.”

Meisel is a sculptor and installation artist who serves on the faculty of the Washington State University Department of Fine Arts. Meisel has an extensive exhibition record and has completed public artworks at Edmonds City Hall in Edmonds, Wash., and Seattle’s International District/Chinatown Community Center. Learn more about his work here.