The Real Blades of Glory

Detail, World War II Memorial, West Capitol Campus


The bronze blades that form this part of the memorial feature ghostlike images of servicemen, which are actually formed using the etched names of Washington State’s war casualties.






Source: Department of General Administration

Stories to tell

General Administration Building and Chief William Shelton’s story pole, West Capitol Campus

The mid-century style GA Building (1956) is scheduled for demolition in 2010 to make way for a new Heritage Center that will house the Secretary of State, the State Archives, and visitor facilities. The painted story pole was begun by Chief Shelton of the Snohomish Tribe and finished by other tribal carvers after his death. It was dedicated in 1940. This is not, strictly speaking, a totem pole:

A totem pole symbolizes a family’s history through the depiction of certain animals and their cultural legends. A story pole, on the other hand, puts its emphasis on teaching children community responsibility and cultural attitudes through the depictions of these same animal characters. Story poles are most often carved from the interior pillars of ceremonial longhouses. Therefore, this free-standing pole provides a rare look at carvings typically seen only within sacred structures of the Snohomish and other Salish tribes. The story pole features 21 beautifully carved figures, each teaching a certain life lesson.

--General Administration Website

Every day's a celebration

Tivoli Fountain, West Capitol Campus

This replica of a Roman-style fountain located in Tivoli Park, Copenhagen, Denmark was dedicated in 1953. It features an outer ring of 540 jets which create an umbrella of water, and inside of this are two rings of vertical spray jets rising out of large, tulip-shaped copper tubs. In the center of the fountain is its most striking feature, a central spout that shoots water approximately 25 feet into the air. All of the sprays alternately rise and fall together, creating five different artistic water displays while circulating 600 gallons of water a minute.

The fountain operates between April 1 and October 30 each year.

A Veteran of the "Forgotten War"

Detail of the Korean War Memorial, East Capitol Campus

This is one of several war memorials on the East and West Campuses. The memorial was not placed on the campus and dedicated until 1993. Roughly 122,000 Washington soldiers served in Korea, now often referred to as "the forgotten war"—532 of these troops were killed. The Highway-Licenses Building is in the background.

Smooching on the waterfront

The Kiss, near the Oyster House Restaurant

I've always enjoyed this sculpture at Percival Landing, not least because she is taller than he.