A series of textile related pieces hung on the building alluding to shawls, blankets and curtains, handmade from stainless steel yarn. The piece has a handmade feel while remaining architectural. In the front porch area of the Broadway side of the building I envisioned a series of blinds or screens that filled 5 of the 30' bays. These architectural curtains lent a human scale to the building. They serve to articulate and specialize this facade. The stainless yarn was woven in classic patterns such as Brooks Bouquet, Spanish Lace, and Danish Medallion. They are graphic when viewed by cars and provide a textural meditation when seen close-up. The lacy curtains create a series of shadows throughout the day and by night they are backlit.

On the Boren side of the building 65' up from grade a lightweight sculpture gazes back towards Harborview Hospital and makes a connection to it. The sculpture is crocheted in sections and pieced together. The sculpture, which is lightweight and gossamer in nature, drapes over a rigid bracket. The two pieces relate to each other within the vocabulary of construction, material and color.

The idea for this piece originated from studying the wooden infill on the outside of the original dwellings in the area. It is also about the sense of comfort that handmade things provide. The piece attempts to recreate the geometric elegance of art deco and the original hospital ornamentation. Lighting is incorporated to create a warm feeling. I created a group of pendant lights for the front porch area. These pendant lights will light both the art and the pedestrian corridor. All of these ideas deal with the original architecture of the hospital or site or both. All of the ideas deal with holding something, embracing something, supporting something.

These pieces is made completely by hand. A group of 6 local handweavers and artists worked on the project. The material is stainless steel yarn that has been custom made in collaboration with Bekintex, Belgium. The woven parts were made on specially constructed steel frame looms that became a part of the final piece. The crocheted parts are stretched on a frame.

Link to feature article in 4 Culture

Click here for more photos of Comfort Zone