Force/Collide is proud to announce that we entered into our first contract with Sound Transit to fabricate artist Michelle de la Vega’s sculpture “Legacy” for the new Kent/Des Moines Link Light Rail station. Minnesota artist de la Vega established herself in Seattle, WA working in multiple disciples, including sculpture, installation, social engagement and film.
The uprooting of diverse neighborhoods to implement public transportation systems comes with complex outcomes for the stakeholders it aims to service. WIth this in mind, Michelle de la Vega seeks to give back to the South Seattle neighborhood where her sculpture will be installed to mark the moment as a monument to its residents. She is passionate about generational history and one’s connection to place and land, particularly given her roots in the area and first-hand experience of its growth and transformation. The foundation of the sculpture’s concept bloomed from a community outreach event wherein de la Vega hosted members of the community to learn about their family history in the neighborhood. Collecting drawings they made of their family trees, she interpreted these sketches into a detailed large-scale latticework to be fabricated in metal. The latticework will hang like a tapestry across the sides of a 30’L x 13’W x 25’H framework resembling an A-frame house.
Fast-forward two years into the artist’s creative design process to the engineering and design of a detailed fabrication plan. Force/Collide was brought into the fold with de la Vega, Sound Transit’s project management team, the engineer, station contractors and architects. A thorough collaboration with multiple revisions helped provide a solution that will satisfy the many parameters and challenges of the project: the artist’s vision, structural needs of the site plan, a feasible production process for fabrication and installation. Force/Collide is proud to have contributed expertise in metal processes and materials, CAD modeling, drafting and feasibility studies to the pre-production phase.
We’re thrilled to have kicked off fabrication on the large-scale structural framework that integrates with station construction in the Spring of 2023. Fabrication of the artwork itself will commence thereafter and be installed later in 2023. The opening of the station is currently slated for 2025; commuters will be able to enjoy it from the raised platform as they get on and off the light rail and walk under it for a pavilion-esque experience. The monolithic presence of “Legacy” in the plaza will not only enrich the experience of commuters, but will be a deeply meaningful marker of place for those who made the neighborhood what it’s come to be.