Suspended between the trees, what secrets does Union whisper to the wind? The Union Sculpture, a captivating work by Seattle artist John Grade, enhances the Washington Park Arboretum. It is a beautiful blend of art and nature.
Union is made of over 6,000 cast resin parts framed in laminated ceiba wood. These parts hang from two large nets. The nets stretch over 100 feet between eight trees. The trees are mostly western red cedars. You will find this at a trail junction near the Magnolia Collection.
Grade drew inspiration from a fallen western red cedar in Discovery Park. The tree’s trunk had two slender leaders. When the tree fell, the leaders broke. Their concentric growth rings were revealed. Union magnifies the cell structure of these two leaders. It shows their similarities and differences.
Fifteen artisans worked for over six months to create Union. The sculpture interacts with its environment. It shimmers in the sunlight. It chimes in the wind. It even bends with the rain.
The resin forms in the upper net are blue and slightly convex. They shed rainwater. The resin forms in the lower net are green and slightly concave. They collect and then release rainwater. When dry, the two sets of forms merge. When wet, they separate due to the added water weight.
The movement of the nets creates a multi-sensory experience. Light filters through the resin. The sounds change each time you see it. The UW Botanic Gardens curates Union. They also provide educational opportunities.
Union is more than just an exhibit. It harmonizes the artistic and educational facets of nature. The Arboretum Foundation helped raise funds for Union.
Grade worked with the University’s staff and arborists. They selected and prepared the site. They consulted experts to protect birds and wildlife. Grade has installed similar pieces in other forested locations. There have been no recorded injuries to wildlife.
Union is a long-term temporary installation. It is expected to be in place for about five years. You can find Union marked on a map at the Graham Visitors Center.
If you stand directly underneath Union, you can see the growth lines. You’ll notice rings of larger cells going to smaller cells. It’s a subtle detail.
The greens and blues appear differently in different weather. On a sunny day, the blue forms disappear against the blue sky. The greens do the opposite.
Union offers a sideways view into changes happening to natural systems. It encourages us to think about the impact of climate. It is a quiet message that might resonate with people. It might even lead to productive conversations.
Take a moment to appreciate Union’s beauty. Notice how it interacts with the light, wind, and rain. Think about the cedar tree that inspired it. Consider the quiet message it conveys about nature and change.