New Seattle Public Art: Ginny Ruffner’s The Urban Garden
The Seattle artist’s newest sculpture brings color to Sheraton Seattle Hotel.
Posted by: Lisa Han on Jul 22, 2011 at 02:00PM
2 Comments
Ginny Ruffner’s new work, The Urban Garden, sits on the corner of Seventh and Union, just outside the Sheraton hotel. For the unveiling, one block of Seventh was closed off, from Union to Pike streets.
View Slideshow »Deb, left, and son Cutter look into a window on the side of The Urban Garden. Inside are the mechanics that allow the flowers and watering can on the sculpture to move.
View Slideshow »Ginny Ruffner sits in front of her work just before the official unveiling. Sheraton hotel representatives took the “garden” theme to heart, carrying flower umbrellas and handing out flowers to everyone at the event.
View Slideshow »The flower of choice for event attendees was the Gerbera Daisy, and everyone that wanted one could have one. Or two.
View Slideshow »Vashon Island–based EnJoy Productions was also present, bringing its team of bubble-blowers, human ladybugs and stilt-walkers.
View Slideshow » Illustration:Linda Severt, of Vashon-based EnJoy Productions, produces bubbles (using a stick and a loop of thick string) that soared above the crowd during the event.
View Slideshow »Rounding out the unveiling was a raffle and a flash mob, dancing to tunes such as “Singin’ in the Rain” and Katy Perry’s “Firework.”
View Slideshow » Illustration:The flashmob drew the attention of bystanders both indoors and outdoors alike.
Editor’s note: In this three-part series, interns Lisa and Carey will explore new public artacross Seattle. Today’s installment looks at Ginny Ruffner’s latest work, The Urban Garden. —LD
Yesterday afternoon, the once frozen corner of Seventh and Union was set into motion by The Urban Garden, a new kinetic sculpture commissioned by Sheraton Seattle Hotel. Like bees, a flurry of pedestrians gathered to ogle the 27-foot-tall metal flowerpot, complete with bluebells that open and close, a daisy that spins like a windmill, a purple tulip, and a tipping watering can. Designer Ginny Ruffner, a beloved local artist and glass sculptor, was visibly emotional at the sculpture’s dedication, as it marked the end of a seven-year process riddled with red tape and logistical obstacles.
Ruffner is no stranger to public art. After moving to Seattle in 1985, she helped complete projects in places such as the South Park Community Center and Security Pacific Gallery. But in 1991, a devastating car accident put the life and career of the rising lampwork artist on hold. She was in a coma for five weeks before emerging unable to walk and talk. Today, Ruffner has regained most of her verbal and motor skills; her ability to conceive imaginative artwork remains miraculously unscathed.
The playful colors of the flowerpot give nothing away about Ruffner’s misfortune. Instead, they speak more of her relationship with the city. “The Urban Garden reflects my feeling that Seattle is a beautiful, growing, flourishing place,” she said. The structure’s sustainability plays a key role in this concept; a two-gallon stream cascading from the watering can is recycled daily to water the nearby landscaping.
The kinetic nature of the sculpture extends to its interactivity with the viewing public. “I find that if an object moves, it increases its intrigue,” Ruffner said. “I wanted to have something that could be accessed visually from many points of view.” That goal was achieved in part by Ruffner’s favorite detail: a small glass window on the flowerpot that allows visitors to peer into the inner workings of the machinery.
The performance after the official dedication was as much an unveiling as it was a celebration. Amid the blooming umbrellas and staffers in whimsical costumes, a fairy on stilts roused a flash mob into an energetic dance of Katy Perry’s “Firework.”
Now that The Urban Garden is complete, Ruffner hopes to take a short break before her next endeavor. In the meantime, A Not So Still Life, a documentary chronicling Ruffner’s life, will screen at SIFF Cinema from July 22-28.
Video of the dedication and flash mob by Lisa Han.
Sheraton Seattle Hotel Garden Walk Dedication and Flash Mob from Seattle Met on Vimeo.
Tags: Visual Art, Seattle Public Art
I attended the Garden Party downtown yesterday, it was a real tribute to Seattle. Such a colorful fun piece to add to our cities wonderful public art collection. The blue bells open and the watering can pours water beautifully onto a huge green leaf. I believe it will become as renowed as the space needle in the depiction of our Emerald City.
Great Day
Thanks,
Linda Pearl
Congratulations and abundant gratitude to Ginny’s creative genius and all those who worked alongside her to craft, assemble and install “The Urban Garden.”
Although we missed the block party celebration and dedication on July 21st, our family feels a special connection to this exceptional new piece of public art. My husband had the rare privilege of working on the production of “A Not So Still Life” – an award winning documentary film about Ginny and her extraordinary life. The film ends with the commission, idea, and collaboration of The Urban Garden art project, and we are thrilled for Ginny and the concert of people who, for seven years, worked with collective passion and commitment to bring such a visual gift of color and intrigue to the corner of Seventh and Union in Seattle.
If you haven’t seen “A Not So Still Life” (screening at the SIFF Cinema July 22-28 and also available on DVD), it is a MUST SEE! Experiencing the uniquely captivating and artistic world of Ginny Ruffner will inspire you to think beyond what you believe is possible.
Anticipating what’s next!
Tracy Hoien