In a nod to the feats of modern engineering, and the creative spirit that accompanies such endeavors, the City of Bellevue has teamed up with Sound Transit to mount an art exhibit in City Hall. This exhibit, which opened to the public this month, commemorates the long-awaited launch of the Eastside's light rail service with a display titled "Modeling Motion & Link in Process," as reported by Bellevue's official website.
The exhibit, which will be open through the fall, features a diverse collection of artistic representations, infused with the stories of the Link lines 1 and 2's construction. City Hall is set to welcome visitors on Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., aligning with the inaugural celebrations of the 2 line. According to the City of Bellevue's announcement, the exhibit's pieces are a testament to the multifaceted process of creating a contemporary transit network, and the public is invited to immerse themselves in this unique art display during the opening festivities.
Among the highlighted works are photographs by Peter de Lory, who documented the construction of transit tunnels back in 2007 as Sound Transit's photographer-in-residence, and John Lewis, capturing other essential infrastructural elements. The exhibit also features a prototype of "Dragon and Phoenix," a sprawling cut-metal mural by Louie Gong that will grace the eastbound platform wall at the Spring District Station. Not to be missed is Patrick Marold's "Wandering Line," a stainless-steel handrail that promises to be both functional and visually arresting at the BelRed Station.
Art enthusiasts and transit users alike can also preview Paul Marioni's terrazzo and glasswork, which playfully engage with the theme of water throughout Bellevue Downtown Station. Also showcased is Tiffanny Hammonds' "Face of Nations," a formidable piece setting the tone for the station's "Cyclorama," a feature designed to spotlight rotating two-dimensional art exhibits. Incorporating natural influences, Vicki Scuri's acoustic panel artwork echoes leaf forms from the nearby Mercer Slough, slated for the South Bellevue Station. Lastly, visitors can lay eyes on the prototypes of Yuki Nakamura's fluid concrete benches, destined to offer respite in the Overlake Village Station plaza.
