The Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs and  4Culture are pleased to announce a new, site-specific public artwork by Carolyn Law in Seattle’s Eastlake neighborhood. The monumental sculpture By Water On Land sits at the intersection of Fairview Avenue North and Fairview Avenue East near the newly developed Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop.

By Water On Land draws its physical form and artistic concept from the urban tension and emotional undercurrents of the Eastlake area. The site has a strong urban expression dominated by the elements that comprise our city streets such as utility poles and trolley lines, forming what the artist calls “a visually condensed and energetic infrastructure.” But this is also a place at the water’s edge, which brings to it a sublime quality of shifting light, oyster skies and misty breezes.

Elements of this artwork were repurposed from a sculpture created by Law in the 1990s for the Route 70 trolley. That artwork was de-installed due to the recent construction impacts in that area. 4Culture asked Law to propose a reconfiguration of the salvaged parts into a new artwork and to find a place for it along the trolley route. With the help of Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), Law was able to reuse seven mast-like components that were originally installed atop light poles on Fairview, just south of the Cheshiahud trail site. Referencing the previous artwork, the kinetic nature of the piece is maintained in the new artwork and incorporates two recycled utility poles as supports for the sculptural assembly.

By Water On Land is supported by SDOT 1% for Art funds and King County/4Culture Department of Transportation % for Art funds.

IMAGES: By Water On Land, © 2013 Carolyn Law, Photo courtesy of the artist