“Anyone here ever built something amazing with LEGOs?” Consider the Building Blocks Sculpture. This isn’t child’s play. It’s a testament to the power of art in public spaces.
The Building Blocks Sculpture is an artwork made of aluminum and steel. Rosario Marquardt and Roberto Behar created it. This modern sculpture adds a touch of whimsy to Seattle.
Seattle’s commitment to public art began with monuments. These honored great men. The city’s collection expanded. It embraced modernism. It explored activism. The collection reflected community values. Seattle became rich in public art. Large sculptures lined downtown streets. Site-specific works appeared in neighborhood parks.
The Century 21 Exposition influenced Seattle’s public art. The fair introduced modern art. The fair site became a public art locus. Large sculptures were placed there.
Seattle recognized public art’s importance. It should endure in everyday life. An “Art in Public Places” conference took place in 1971. It formalized Seattle’s public art program.
In 1973, Seattle passed an ordinance. It allocated funds for art in municipal projects. One percent of construction costs went to art. Seattle joined a handful of cities with this directive.
Even before this ordinance, the city sought national and international artists. They wanted to enrich the collection.
The city also supported local artists. A registry was created for Washington artists. Project developers were encouraged to use this resource. Neighborhoods became involved.
One project integrated art into a city facility. Artists worked with architects. They designed the Viewland/Hoffman Electrical Substation.
The “First Avenue Project” added interest to a basic street. Artists added benches and trees. They used boulders and sandstone slabs. This transformed thinking in the city.
In the 1980s, the city evaluated its art collection. It needed to court local artists more deliberately. Seattle City Light launched the “Seattle Artists Program”. This supported achievements by Seattle artists.
Robert Irwin created Nine Spaces, Nine Trees. It used blue fencing to create rooms. Each room contained a plum tree.
Charles Greening produced several works for the city. He created Sundial. He also made the Meridian Archway.
Ginny Ruffner created The Unified Playing Field Theory. It included a painted steel entry structure. Sidewalk inlays showed days of the year.
Today, the Building Blocks Sculpture stands as a vibrant example of Seattle’s ongoing dedication to public art. It is a playful yet sophisticated addition. It sparks joy. It encourages interaction. The Building Blocks Sculpture reminds us that art can transform ordinary spaces. It creates extraordinary experiences. It is more than just blocks. It is a building block of community.