Abstract Thoughts from Seattle

Answer to Abstract #1:


Chihuly Garden and Glass

This controversial space is located right next to the famed Space Needle, a museum devoted to the works of Dale Chihuly, pioneering glass artist. Showy to a fault, Chihuly's glasswork (as well as some of his eclectic collections: accordions, vintage radios, Native American baskets) created a viral genre infecting gift shops around the world. The fishing boat (above) filled with stylized net floats illustrates the dichotomy of his pieces. Pretty—but for me somehow lacking in emotional resonance.

Answer to Abstract #2:


Department of Forensic Morphology Annex, 2002, Cris Bruch

I couldn't find anything on this strange "Mini-Gehry" located near the William H. Gates School of Law when I was there but an internet search revealed it to be an elaborate in-joke spoofing two other campus buildings.

Answer to Abstract #3:


Suzzalo Library Reading Room, UW Campus.

This “quiet study room” is also a browsers paradise. A library filled with a wildly diverse collection of books which can only be read in the room—none are available for checkout.

The Gothic look of the building belies its age (it opened in 1926).