Michael Lafreniere, Director of Burien Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services reported Tuesday (July 14th) that three out of four of the “plinth” sculptures installed in Burien’s new Town Square Park just last month were vandalized and damaged over this past weekend.

These are the smaller, more whimsical metallic sculptures that are scattered around the park and mounted on cement pedestals.

Below are before and after photos:

BEFORE (“Hikers“):

AFTER:

BEFORE (“Bike“):

AFTER:

Elements of the sculptures appear to have been broken or sawed off.

The design, fabrication and installation of the sculptures had cost $30,000.

Burien Parks is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the persons responsible for this crime, and cash rewards of up to $1,000 are paid for information leading to an arrest.

Anyone with information on this crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers immediately at (206) 343-2020 or toll free at 1-800-CRIME-13 and give the tip to police without giving his/her name.

This is the second act of vandalism in a Burien park within the last two weeks – as we reported previously, on June 28th vandals tagged the brand new picnic shelter at Seahurst Park.

In preparation for Saturday afternoon’s official unveiling, numerous pieces of art and sculptures were installed Thursday afternoon (Jan. 22) at the Burien/ Interim Art Space (B/ IAS), located on the southeast corner of the Burien Town Square on SW 150th.

B/ IAS is a year-long experiment to showcase art and serve as a community gathering place, and artists and volunteers have been digging footings and assembling sculptures while cranes have been lifting sculptures into place.

Described as a “artist P-patch”, B/ IAS represents a creative solution to a common problem caused by the current stalled development industry. The one-acre parcel of land, to be developed into condominiums by Urban Partners, would have sat empty for at least a year until construction on the company’s delayed project resumed, if not for the vision of Burien Arts Commissioners Dane Johnson and Kathy Justin and a number of community partners coming together to make it happen.

Urban Partners has donated the lease of the space. GGLO, the firm who designed Burien Town Square where B/IAS is located, contributed to the project by hosting a design charrette to explore how to turn the former asphalt parking lot into a dynamic space that engages people. Other partners include Ignition Northwest, the City of Burien and 4Culture as well as numerous community volunteers.

At the center of the interim art space will be a dramatic 30-foot-high sculpture called The Passage. Originally debuted at the Burning Man Arts Festival in 2005, the sculpture depicts a mother and child walking together “to share and explore life.” Created by Dan Das Mann and Karen Cusolito, the dramatic figures are fabricated out of recycled and scrap metal, as seen in this photo taken when the piece first arrived on Jan. 20th – check out the dreadlock hair made of re-used chains:

Other sculptures installed Thursday include:

• The Fire-Pod, an 11-foot-high steel sculpture with six claw-like tendrils and 12 firing points that shoot out flames (that also debuted at Burning Man).
• Synapse Naust, a 16-foot-high fire cauldron designed by Charlie Smith, Jamie Ladet and a group of Seattle artists, into which you can toss logs and the burning fire illuminates the detailed patterns cut into the sides of the structure.
• Tree Spire, a 15′ tall tree with a circular bench around the base of the tree created by the Iron Monkeys.
• The Nemata, a hollow-formed bronze sculpture.

WHAT: The Passage along with the Fire-Pod and Synapse Naust will be set ablaze amidst a festive community celebration; community leaders, art enthusiasts and Burien neighbors will gather to listen to the music of local musicians and watch as the burning sculptures are lit.

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 24, beginning at 3pm at the Burien Town Square offices, then moving to the outdoor space at 4pm.

WHERE: B/ IAS space, which is located on SW 150th, across from Staples (map below).

COST: FREE

For more information, visit the B/ IASwebsite here.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• PHOTOS: “The Passage” Makes Safe Passage To Burien
• Daily Journal Of Commerce Digs Burien’s Interim Art Space
• Ground Broken For Town Square Sculpture “The Passage”
• UPDATE:”The Passage” Installation Postponed To Jan. 24th
• VIDEO:Impressive Sculpture Coming To Burien Town Square

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