Split

Date2003

Maker Roxy Paine American, born 1966

Label Text

Roxy Paine's graceful, towering, stainless steel tree evolved from a detailed analysis of a tree's structure, a composition reconstructed through drawings, computer diagrams, and architectural renderings. Comprising steel pipes of more than 20 different diameters, its heavy industrial plates support approximately 5,000 pounds of cantilevered branches. Camouflaged in the natural setting and light, Split reflects its surroundings and poses the question, "What is nature, what is art?"

Object number2016.17.3

Provenance[James Cohan Gallery, New York]; commissioned through gallery by Virginia and Bagley Wright, Seattle, January 13, 2003

Photo CreditPhoto: Paul Macapia

It mimics how we increasingly experience nature...everything is treated like an element in a machine. I'm interested in this constant desire to control nature, to make it fit into processes, factory processes.

Roxy Paine

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Olympic Sculpture Park, 2007–ongoingPublished ReferencesCorrin, Lisa Graziose, et al. "Olympic Sculpture Park." Seattle, WA: Seattle Art Museum, 2007; reproduced. p. 46. Ishikawa, Chiyo, ed. "A Community of Collectors: 75th Anniversary Gifts to the Seattle Art Museum." Seattle: Seattle Art Museum, 2007; reproduced. p. 102. Kangas, Matthew, "Sculpture", October 2007, Vol 26, No. 8.

Credit LineGift of the Virginia and Bagley Wright Collection, in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Seattle Art Museum

DimensionsHeight: 600 in. (1524 cm)

MediumPolished stainless steel