Split

2003

American, born 1966

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?"

Polished stainless steel

Height: 600 in. (1524 cm)

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

2016.17.3

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

Photo: Paul Macapia

Now on view at the Olympic Sculture Park

“

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

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Olympic Sculpture Park, 2007–ongoing

Published 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.

Seattle Art Museum respectfully acknowledges that we are on Indigenous land, the traditional territories of the Coast Salish people. We honor our ongoing connection to these communities past, present, and future.

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