GATHER
YEAR & TIMELINE
2018-2024 | 5 Years
CLIENT
Sound Transit
LOCATION
Kent, WA
ROLE
Shared Art Direction | Illustration | Environmental Graphics
COLLABORATORS
TOOLS
Illustrator | CadTools
MEDIUM
Frit Printed Glass
DIMENSIONS
10'x600'
CHALLENGE
Train stations in the rainy Pacific Northwest can be monotonous, dreary, and stressful for travelers. Artwork should resonate with the diverse community of Kent, a city with deep agricultural roots.
CONCEPT
“Gather” refers to both the act of gleaning and coming together with community. Our design is based on edible plants–the ingredients that go into the dishes that bring us together to share, celebrate, and connect. Plant motifs weave through the landscape, blending ingredients from indigenous and immigrant foodways to honor the diverse cultures that have shaped this region.
Using the prompt “The Light at the Edge of the Forest,” we focused on a vibrant design that responds to natural and artificial light throughout the day and night. The artwork gives the station a distinct identity that helps people quickly identify where they are in their journey.
"Gather" is in harmonious dialogue with "Pollination", another collaboration in the breezeway that connects the two station platforms.
AUDIENCE
This station services the city of Kent with a focus on commuters as well as residents and visitors of all ages who use Link Light Rail. Some audience experiences might be commuting, in a rush, waiting, visiting the station regularly, or entering the station for the first time. The design has many points of engagement at different distances so visitors can explore new aspects of the piece with each ride.
RESEARCH
Kent has a rich agricultural history; in the early 19th century, Kent invested heavily in hops due to a blight in Europe that made the crop lucrative. The city took its name from England’s hops capital: Kent. In the 1920s and ‘30s, Kent was known as the Lettuce Capital of the World and drew crowds to the annual Lettuce Festival.
We met with Lee Bess, a Seattle-based naturalist who guided us towards the local edible and medicinal plants used by several indigenous tribes in the Pacific Northwest including the local Skope-ahmish, Smalh-kamish, and St-kah-mish peoples of the White River Valley.
Establishing an interest in edible plants, we met with Tahmina Martelly from Hillside Paradise Parking Plots, a community garden created for refugees and immigrants to grow food and connect with the local land. Communities are centered around food: cooking, gathering, sharing, and celebrating. We wanted everyone who visits the station to feel connected to the installation through familiar ingredients that make them feel welcome.
