Father and Son, c 2005, by Louise Bourgeois American (born in France), 1911 - 2010

Seattle Olympic Sculpture Park – There is something significantly primal in this sculpture.  Feel it?  The young boy, surrounded by danger, feeling fear, is reaching out to the strong, safe arms of his father. If you allow yourself a moment to become this young boy, there is no getting away from this deep, instinctual longing.

Internationally acclaimed artist Louise Bourgeois created Father and Son especially for the Olympic Sculpture Park. Surrealism, a strong influence on Bourgeois’ early work and its psychological themes, informs this fountain, her first permanent project sited on the West Coast. As the fountain’s water rises and falls, first the father, then the son, are engulfed in water and separated. Bourgeois’ representation of father and son portrays a vulnerable and poignant situation, as the two face each other with arms outstretched, striving to overcome a seemingly insurmountable divide.

The Olympic Sculpture Park has transformed a nine-acre industrial site into open and vibrant green space for art. This new waterfront park gives Seattle residents and visitors the opportunity to experience a variety of sculpture in an outdoor setting, while enjoying the incredible views and beauty of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound.  Best of all, admission is free.

There are scores of sculptures to explore, and a great many of them are whimsical.  Here you can see Carol poking one of the eyeball benches in the eye.  Don’t blame her, I put her up to it.

Here’s another sculpture by Carolina Silva.  Above this black hole is a cube frame where Silva creates differing sites, sounds, light, fog in an ever-changing display within her cubed frame.

As I gazed upon all of these hands, to be honest, I had no idea what she was trying to communicate.  Perhaps, the message is in the eye of the beholder.

We spent a couple hours exploring the park, admiring the nearby Puget Sound with the Olympic Mountains as a backdrop,  and simply reveled in a child-like spirit as we explored this marvelous park.

When you visit Seattle, bring your camera to the Seattle Olympic Sculpture Park and just play.

Play is good for you!