Fun Forest should stay, Chihuly should go in Center House
I am not a supporter of the proposed Chihuly at the Needle Exhibit. [“Chihuly plan lauded at forum to discuss Seattle Center space,” NWWednesday, March 31.]
As a proponent of both art and green, open spaces, I believe Chihuly at the Needle will not help provide both to the Seattle Center.
It crowds the Space Needle and will take away the breadth of space the 2008 plan provides beautifully.
Dale Chihuly’s exhibits have drawn in millions of people from around the world. With more than $50 million of his glass art on display at the Chihuly at the Needle project, it promises to be the largest and most beautiful installation of his artwork in the world. If you allow for it to be built elsewhere at Seattle Center — not where the Fun Forest is located — there is no doubt millions of people will come to the Seattle Center to appreciate and be inspired by Chihuly’s creations.
Simply, think of a different location other than at the foot of the Needle. The 2008 plan provides many other locations, including the Center House, which would provide a more dynamic “marriage.”
Thus, like breadth that is considered for the Eiffel Tower, the space surrounding our trademark should be preserved for generations. The Wright art proposal ignores the connection made with the west side of the campus with the relocation of the mural and reflection pool, as well as removal of the Fun Forest.
In addition to landscaping the 1.5 acres of asphalt in the south section of the Fun Forest, the Chihuly at the Needle project will provide more than $600,000 in revenues — plus rent —to the city of Seattle each year. It is my hope that the city will use some of those funds to create a landscaped space in the north section of the Fun Forest. Lets use a different location, away from the base of the Space Needle.
The new circulation provided by the removal of the Fun Forest building invites and draws folks from all over the world to the Center’s entirety while framing the Needle in green landscaping.
I request this project not be supported. It simply does not add to the Center, but takes away from the newly found beauty in the subtle and elegant open space — which the 2008 plan provides with the removal of the Fun Forest— of our very special trademark, the Space Needle.
— Dorian Muncey, Seattle
Chihuly, a place for Seattle residents
I am a Seattle native, husband, father and local business owner. I have seen the Chihuly museum plan and believe it would be a huge upgrade to the Seattle Center.
I am sure I would enjoy taking my family, other relatives, friends and even clients through this new facility if Seattle agrees to building it. We need to leave something behind for others at the Center and make it better than it was when we found it — as children.
This is what all great societies do. Let’s do our part.
— Mark Suryan, Bothell