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June 20, 2007

Rail poles among the best public art

Image courtesy of Sound Transit [enlarge]
“Safety Spires” was created by Seattle artists Norie Sato and Dan Corson.

An art installation that is part of Sound Transit’s Link light rail operations and maintenance facility was picked as one of the country’s best public art projects by Americans for the Arts, a national nonprofit organization involved in advancing the arts.

“Safety Spires” was created by Seattle artists Norie Sato and Dan Corson. They worked with engineers and planners to come up with a piece that responded to the light rail system and was incorporated into the infrastructure. The overhead catenary system poles carry power to the light rail vehicles. They have tapered tops and a distinctive pattern inspired by the horsetail plant, which is native to this area.

Sato became lead artist for the Link Light Rail system in 1998 and formed a Visual Artist Team to bring artists into the construction projects. Corson joined the team in 1999.

(Editor's note: This story has been changed to correct the spelling of the word "catenary.")




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