Root

Bellevue, WA

Root
18’h x 20’w x 13’d; Cast Bronze, specialty paint; ©2007 Photo:Spike Mafford

This giant tree was originally harvested in the 1800's from this region. The old growth tree root system is cast in Bronze and treated with a special hematite silver paint. It metaphorically speaks of transparency of government and exposing the hidden infrastructure (hidden roots) of the city (electric, water, sewage etc) and relates to historical/ecological roots of the city.

Exquisite detail of root textures cast in bronze. Fabricaiton by Blue Mountain Fine Art, Baker City OR. Engineering by Mike Valley of MKA, City of Bellevue, 4Culture

This giant tree was originally harvested in the 1800's from this region. The old growth tree root system is cast in Bronze and treated with a special hematite silver paint. It metaphorically speaks of transparency of government and exposing the hidden infrastructure (hidden roots) of the city (electric, water, sewage etc) and relates to historical/ecological roots of the city. A companion piece directly behind it is a living Nurse Tree.

A companion piece directly behind the bronze root is a living "nurse log" tree. The living tree (growing out of the trunk of an old root stump) will grow and mark time as the silver root is forever frozen in both time and space.