The Seattle Public Library board of trustees has selected two artists to create permanent artworks at the new Central Library as part of the “Library Unbound” series of artworks. The Library Board made its unanimous decision at its Jan. 27 meeting.
Textile artist Mandy Greer of Seattle will develop a series of works for the children’s area based on three folk tale themes: “The Phoenix Fairy,” “Babe the Ox” and “The Magic Grove.” The works are inspired by books in the Library’s children’s collection, and will be made out of fabric, papier-mâché and steel. As part of the process, the artist will conduct art workshops with Seattle children.
Mixed-media artist Lynne Yamamoto of Brooklyn, N.Y., will create a sculpture collage with resin castings of antiquated library furnishings currently used by library staff, including a library bureau, a bell, a newspaper stand, desks and chairs. The artwork likely will be sited near the Seattle Collection of the new library.
The new 362,987-square-foot Central Library is currently under construction at 1000 Fourth Ave. Designed by the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) in a joint venture with Seattle-based LMN Architects, the building is scheduled to open Sunday, May 23.
The artworks likely will be installed in late 2004 or early 2005.
Greer and Yamamoto and two other artists were selected from among 268 artists to complete residencies at the library last year to familiarize themselves with the workings of the Library before making their proposals.
A panel of arts professionals and Library staff reviewed proposals from the four artists before selecting Greer and Yamamoto to recommend to the Library Board. Panelists said they were impressed with the quality of the proposals by Greer and Yamamoto, excited by the opportunities for reflection that they offered patrons of the new Central Library, and confident of each artist’s professionalism and ability to complete the projects as proposed .
Library Unbound is part of an overall art plan developed by art planners Jessica Cusick and Rick Lowe for the new Central Library, which also includes site-integrated artwork by Ann Hamilton, Tony Oursler and Gary Hill.
In addition, the Library and the Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs also are sponsoring The Peephole Series, temporary public art projects that provide the public with insights into the development of the new Central Library and to promote discussion about the place a 21st century library holds in a democratic society.
The Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, the city agency that promotes the value of arts and culture in and of communities throughout Seattle, is supported by the 15-member Seattle Arts Commission, citizen volunteers appointed by the mayor and City Council. Arts & Cultural Affairs manages the Library’s public art program.
Voters approved the new Central Library in 1998 as part of the $196.4 million “Libraries for All” bond measure. The bond money, which can be used only for construction of libraries, is funding a new central library and new and improved branches. The budget for the library is $165.5 million, which includes $10 million for the Temporary Central Library.
The Seattle Public Library Foundation is in the midst of a “Campaign for Seattle’s Public Libraries” with the goal of raising $77.5 million from private sources to enhance the public bond commitment. Every dollar raised will ensure the Library system reflects our community’s needs in buildings, books, technology and people, long into the future.
For more information about Libraries for All, visit the Library's Web site at www.spl.org and select "Libraries for All capital projects."
(For more information, call Caroline Young Ullmann, communications assistant, 206-615-1627.)
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Content modified: 18 February 2004
12/30/2005
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