The Periscope

Recently by Sarah Faulkner


Installations

"Macro-Micro" installed in South Lake Union

What do Mark Twain, Marie Curie, and Nikola Tesla all have in common? They are all part of South Lake Union's latest design installation by Belle & Wissell titled "Macro-Micro", part of a series of artful and sustainable design projects commissioned by Vulcan Real Estate. This project is just one part of Vulcan's vision for the new Amazon.com campus in the neighborhood.

We invite you to come see it in person at this location.

The graphic metal sculpture, located on Boren Avenue (between Thomas and Harrison) is made from 8,640 multicolor, individual pucks-capable of being rearranged into future compositions to give this project an extended life (a total of 10,000 pucks were produced). The initial theme is based on "innovators", a reflection of the neighborhood's past, present, and future.

This Belle & Wissell design project was realized in collaboration with Vulcan Real Estate, Amazon.com, and fabricator McNae Metals

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 Giant mesh racks were made to hold and support thousands of metal pucks.  

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Since there was not an off-the-shelf option, McNae's solution involved marrying 10,000 studs with 10,000 pucks. No big deal.  

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Phew. 

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Once the pucks were joined, it was time to paint.
            
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Mesh installed, pucks painted, next comes the paint by number part. Each puck was hand set in the mesh on site using a detailed grid guide. 

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The finished piece.



Installations

"Your Face is Puzzling to Me"
...now collecting faces

This isn't a cloning experiment but rather it's South Lake Union's latest installation titled "Your Face is Puzzling to Me", an interactive exhibit commissioned by Vulcan Real Estate for the new Amazon.com campus on Thomas St. (between Terry and Boren). This project is part of Vulcan's larger vision for Seattle's most up-and-coming neighborhood.


Contribute your face (in person) at "Your Face is Puzzling to Me"


This Belle & Wissell design project was realized in collaboration with Vulcan Real Estate, Amazon.com, and fabricator Turner Exhibits. 



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The concept behind "Your Face Is Puzzling To Me" is to elevate the diversity of the people in the South Lake Union neighborhood, bringing together faces that make the neighborhood special. Folks passing by can use a capture station to add their photo to the project. Once your photo is taken, it is processed and juxtaposed with previously submitted faces. Also in the rotation are faces from the past, a few inanimate objects, and some other surprises.  

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The result? Some weird looking folks. 

Exhibitions

Bellevue Arts Museum: George Nelson Exhibit

Drooling over well-designed furniture is one of our favorite after hours hobbies. So you can imagine our excitement when the Bellevue Arts Museum opened an exhibition featuring the king of sexy modern furniture; George Nelson. On loan from the Vitra Design Museum in Germany, the Seattle area is one of four lucky US stops to be able to take a peek. 

The exhibit, open through February 12, features his accomplishments in office, house, exhibition, and corporate design. Each piece inspires, making us a little bit happier having seen it in person.

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The man himself
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Marshmallow Sofa, delicious but oddly colored

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Clock wall at the exhibition