Beckoning Cistern
Artist
Buster Simpson
MediumMixed media, stainless steel, aluminum and water
Dimensions16' x 12' plus 20' downspout
ClassificationsSculpture
Credit LineSeattle Public Utilities 1% for Art funds
Description: Beckoning Cistern consists of a hollow, corrugated aluminum sculpture shaped like a wrist and hand. It’s designed to capture rainwater runoff from the roof of the building- it retains this rainwater that then spills into the adjacent concrete planter.
This artwork was a component of the Growing Vine Street revitalization effort, in which property owners, neighborhood groups, and various city departments worked together to make Vine a green street. The cistern and cistern steps combine to emphasize water conservation and natural cleansing of storm water through planted drainage systems.
This artwork was a component of the Growing Vine Street revitalization effort, in which property owners, neighborhood groups, and various city departments worked together to make Vine a green street. The cistern and cistern steps combine to emphasize water conservation and natural cleansing of storm water through planted drainage systems.
Artist Statement: The gesture of the hand emerging from the tank sleeve with the index finger tip in contact with the down spout suggests the gesture of Adam’s finger reaching for God as seen in the Sistine Chapel. Here the interdependence of Adam’s needs and the awareness of the responsibilities as shown in the fingers supporting of the conveyance revises the short sighted notion of manifest destiny to one of mutual sustainability.
Location: 81 Vine Street, Seattle WA 98121
Location: 81 Vine Street, Seattle WA 98121
