Love & Loss, Roy McMakin

Roy McMakin's work, Love & Loss is the only piece located at the Seattle Art Museum's Olympic Sculpture park that I think has any relevance there what-so-ever. McMakin who lives and works in Seattle makes the only contribution that gives me even a whiff of site specificity. The mixture of concrete in the grass, paint on the tree, and a little artificial movement and electricity play nicely. The materials contrast one another in the same way a park in the middle of the city does. The back and forth make the work seem like it was placed there for a reason, not just plopped down.

I know that there is some other work in the park that was made with the destination in mind but it just doesn't feel that way. Seems like they just filled the place up with token works from a pretty standard group of artists who have all more than earned their stamp of approval from cultural institutions all around the world. Too bad! The park might have had a chance to be a relevant venue if the curators had embraced a slightly more regional grouping of work. Hell, it would have also had a very positive effect on the art community in the northwest. Oh well, maybe next time.

Anyhow, thanks Roy! I had a very lovely lunch with your work today. Keep doing what you're doing.