New Artwork at Bellevue Downtown Park Set To Unveil This Year
February 4, 2023 - by Sandy Vo
New Artwork at Bellevue Downtown Park Set To Unveil This Year
The strong focus on arts and culture in Downtown continues to heighten as the City of Bellevue plans to unveil a new 23-foot art installation in Bellevue Downtown Park — officially completing the Park’s Northwest Gateway construction project. Assembling of the artwork has begun and we will see noticeable construction for the next 6-8 weeks.
Currently untitled, the large white aluminum sculpture is consists of 6,665 individual pieces and assembled using over 180,000 rivets. The folded metal façade will create different organic shapes from all perspectives, piquing curiosity and providing an immersive experience to those on the ground and from above.
The artwork was designed by nationally acclaimed architectural artist Marc Fornes, founder of THEVERYMANY. Over the last 10 years, his studio has built several pavilions and installations that push the limits of form, structure, and space. According to Fornes, his work aims to provide an otherworldly experience for its visitors while also contributing to the visual identity and social life of its place.
“This piece resets our level of bold,” Lorie Hoffman, City of Bellevue’s Arts Community Manager, stated. “It’s built at an architectural scale and plays heavily with light and color. This sculpture is one of the most ambitious pieces we’ve ever commissioned.”
on the Grand Connection
Hoffman noted that public art is essential to Downtown Bellevue’s future. While visually appealing, it’s meant to be impactful and sustainable in the long run. This extravagant art installation ultimately sets a foundation for how art will play a role in the continuing development of the Grand Connection – A 1.5-mile-long “pedestrian corridor” that links people and places through the heart of Bellevue.
“This sculpture is one of the jewels on the necklace of the Grand Connection,” Hoffman said. “I want to see it become a gathering place and a wayfinding marker for the Downtown community.”
The arts and culture scene in Downtown Bellevue has consistently been a central focal point. Of the 123 artworks scattered around Downtown, the City of Bellevue owns 25– the rest are privately owned. Some of the most prominent city-owned arts include the White Ashes 9 mural by Kenji Hamai Stoll and Bellgate by Lee Kelley, located at the Bellevue Connection.
While most art programs are typically grouped within the parks department as entertainment, Bellevue’s is part of the Cultural and Economic Development division. Hoffman states that the City has done a great job recognizing the true financial impact of art activities and events.
“Art in a public space has the power to bring people together and provide a sense of community,” Hoffman remarked. “The new sculpture in Downtown Park will continue the trend for future public art installations that are not only beautiful but engaging and meaningful.”
The final installation is a bittersweet moment for those involved in implementing this public art exhibition. The construction was initially slated to begin in early 2020, but due to the pandemic, it was held off until now.
“I’m so thankful for the team of artists, fabricators, inspectors, and developers who continued to stay on course and finalize the vision of this artwork,” Hoffman said. “It’s an amazing testament to this City’s ability to take an idea and turn it into a reality.”
The sculpture is set to be completed in six to eight weeks. In the meantime, we encourage you to explore other artworks in Downtown Bellevue using the City’s ArtMap Guide.
This blog is part of the Heart of Bellevue: our campaign to showcase local businesses while connecting you with stories of activity, creativity and recovery. Find out about our campaign and explore more of what’s happening around Downtown.
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Bellevue Downtown Park Plaza
10201 NE 4th St
Bellevue, WA 98004
