Atmospheric River Garden
Plants, earthwork, stoneware ceramics, rain | Woodinville, WA
Rain collects in the atmosphere, falls toward earth here, drips on colors and forms evoking weather maps and growing plants, flows into soil, travels through roots, stems and leaves, and slowly continues its journey. Atmospheric River Garden is a vessel and vector of water, a multi-species habitat, a little engine of healing designed to support and amplify the systems of water flow and plant life.
Taking a cue from the colors of weather maps that show the amount of rainfall, the artwork calls attention to the rain garden as a vector of water, a reflection of the weather systems above and water flowing below. A rain garden transforms what can be a destructive force into a resilient habitat. This site sits in an alluvial plain, full of clay. Clay was dug from the site to create growing conditions and allow water to permeate. Sculptural forms allow clay to tell a story of water as it flows and drips and evoke the concept that plants and a rain garden direct and hold water. Habitat spaces are created with small pollinator watering holes.
Commissioned by 4Culture in partnership with 21 Acres, Woodinville, WA, King County Public Art Collection.
Photo: joefreemanjunior.com
This work began with project partners in King County Rainscapes through this Rain Garden Guide.
Fabrication, installation and planting in partnership with Tim Bell and Dirt Corps.
Planted and installed in 2024, still growing.
Rain collects in the atmosphere, falls toward earth here, drips on colors and forms evoking weather maps and growing plants, flows into soil, travels through roots, stems and leaves, and slowly continues its journey. Atmospheric River Garden is a vessel and vector of water, a multi-species habitat, a little engine of healing designed to support and amplify the systems of water flow and plant life.
Taking a cue from the colors of weather maps that show the amount of rainfall, the artwork calls attention to the rain garden as a vector of water, a reflection of the weather systems above and water flowing below. A rain garden transforms what can be a destructive force into a resilient habitat. This site sits in an alluvial plain, full of clay. Clay was dug from the site to create growing conditions and allow water to permeate. Sculptural forms allow clay to tell a story of water as it flows and drips and evoke the concept that plants and a rain garden direct and hold water. Habitat spaces are created with small pollinator watering holes.
Commissioned by 4Culture in partnership with 21 Acres, Woodinville, WA, King County Public Art Collection.
Photo: joefreemanjunior.com
This work began with project partners in King County Rainscapes through this Rain Garden Guide.
Fabrication, installation and planting in partnership with Tim Bell and Dirt Corps.
Planted and installed in 2024, still growing.
