West Seattle Blog…

West Seattle scene: Another carving on Lincoln Park driftwood

June 20, 2012 at 3:36 am | In West Seattle beaches, West Seattle news | 34 Comments

More driftwood carving at Lincoln Park, two and a half weeks after a whale and moon snail appeared. Bob Bussman shared photos of the work he spotted during a walk along Lincoln Park’s north beach yesterday afternoon – he described what they’re working on as a seal:

We don’t know if that person and another one Bob saw are the same ones who created the whale and moon snail (do you?), but the carving is being done in the same area.

34 Comments

1. I think this is awesome! Although this blog is a great place for everyone to share their opinions, I really and truly hope all those folks that feel the need to share how this is going to hurt the Lincoln Park ant population or the wood shavings will damage the moon snail larvae PLEASE, for once, don’t feel the need to share. . . . can’t we just think of this as something cool? It’s a gift.

   Comment by 2 Much Whine — 7:08 am June 20, 2012 #

2. Interesting how our perspective shifts between appropriate expression of self (art) and vandalism, not that I disapprove, I’m just saying…

   Comment by M — 7:59 am June 20, 2012 #

3. I love West Seattle and the Community of Artists that live here. Thank you so much for sharing your gift with all of us.

   Comment by Amanda — 8:15 am June 20, 2012 #

4. I’m so happy that we have people in our community who share their talents in this way. This makes me love Lincoln Park even more.

   Comment by nate — 8:25 am June 20, 2012 #

5. it is cool but i just dont get how its not vandalism. i loooove grafitti art but i guarantee you if there were all of a sudden beautifully painted logs there would be a differrent response. just dont get it.
   and for that matter is it even allowed to tell people how to comment on here?

   Comment by forrealtho — 8:49 am June 20, 2012 #

6. Ditto Much Whine. This is a realy cool. We need more of this kind of stuff in the world. This is a gift.

   Comment by boy — 8:59 am June 20, 2012 #

7. forrealtho, I don’t get how it IS vandalism. I mean, it’s driftwood, not a tag on somebody’s house.
   .
   I was out on the coast last month and somebody had built a nifty little shelter out of driftwood. Is that vandalism, too? Why?

   Comment by datamuse — 9:15 am June 20, 2012 #

8. I like the other two carvings, can’t wait to see this one.

   Comment by Barb Vadakin — 9:56 am June 20, 2012 #

9. Spray painting filthy words and pictures on the shelters and dumpsters is Vandalism, ugly and disturbing. These carvings are a free gift of local NW Native American Art. And on driftwood logs at that.

   Comment by Rick in the park — 10:29 am June 20, 2012 #

10. Would it be vandalism if someone came by and carved all over the carving, thus destroying it?

    Comment by VBD — 10:30 am June 20, 2012 #

11. If some folks find it necessary to attach a negative sounding connotation to this, don’t think of it as “vandalism”, simply think of it as an “art attack”. ;-)

    .

    Mike

    Comment by miws — 10:34 am June 20, 2012 #

12. The carving is very well-done, but sadly, this will only encourage others to do the same, and they might not be as careful. Live trees, driftwood, boulders, stumps, and other natural objects found on public land should be left in their natural state for all to enjoy. They are already beautiful and do not need decoration. If you want to leave an artistic gift, try something like sand sculptures or rock piles, or those creative driftwood assemblages that someone leaves. Check out the work of artist Andy Goldsworthy for ideas on nature-art that is beautiful, but very low-impact. We do not want to end up with a beach full of painted logs and carved gnomes. There are so few places left we can appreciate natural views. Please leave the parks alone.

    Comment by Denise — 10:55 am June 20, 2012 #

13. Anyone can always ask people not to comment in one way or another or they could tell everyone to wear Hawaiian shirts on Thursday but it is painfully obvious that few people will listen as evidenced in this thread. Every now and then it would be nice if the old adage “good deeds never go unpunished” wasn’t true.

    Comment by 2 Much Whine — 11:29 am June 20, 2012 #

14. Nature does not need decoration. I love walking the beach and to me, the driftwood and other natural objects are already like beautiful sculptures. But someone else’s ‘art’ on top of it ruins it for me. I want nature in parks left alone. I guess I get to have an opinion, too?

    Comment by Denise — 11:46 am June 20, 2012 #

15. Wow, that’s amazing! I hope we get to see more photos posted; for the folks who can’t make it down to see them in person. Thanks for sharing Bob.

    Comment by RG — 11:55 am June 20, 2012 #

16. Love the carvings- thank you!

    Comment by Native — 12:02 pm June 20, 2012 #

17. Thanks RG! After reading the posts, I am mixed about sharing the pics. The 2 artists were sweating profusely with their hard work. We would not have seen it if we did not see them. There are many hidden treasures in the park. We walked by some trinkets and Raggedly Anne in the hillside probably for a GPS hunt. You would not see it unless you were looking. My advice for everyone, relax, get out there! Walk the beach, walk a log if you can, and enjoy life while you can…

    Comment by WsBoB — 12:28 pm June 20, 2012 #

18. There’s always going to be debate about art, Bob, official or unofficial, so please don’t have mixed feelings. Only a tiny percentage of the 125,000+ people who read this site over the course of a month comment (tiny percentage is also the case for other news sites), same way that public meetings and surveys on hot topics only draw the comments of a few, so discussions (whether in person or online) are not necessarily a scientific representation of how the noncommenting silent majority feels. We appreciate that you shared the photos because I’d been meaning since the previous story to hike in and check it out, and this gives people a chance to know there’s something to look for on the beach. This morning I had an appointment for an update on the Colman Pool project, passed them while walking in from the Lowman Beach side, but I was already running late, figured I’d catch them on the way out – but I didn’t see them, so the full story of the mysterious (?) carvers remains to be told … TR

    Comment by WSB — 12:54 pm June 20, 2012 #

19. Here’s a positive message for the Solstice. Take a walk in nature, and really try opening your eyes and appreciating the beauty in natural objects. Notice the colors, the textures, the designs in boulders, on tree trunks, in the surface of driftwood. Then ask yourself if you are willing to give that up – to be permanently replaced by…who knows what. Because if this kind of practice continues, that is what will happen. These artists are talented. The next ones may not be. And then, we will have lost one of the last bits of nature we haven’t messed up yet – the way it looks. Happy Solstice to all.

    Comment by Denise — 1:05 pm June 20, 2012 #

20. These carvings are beautiful unlike the spray painted graffiti on the cement pathway along the beach. Both are acts of vandalism, however the carved logs are attractive and add beauty, whilst the graffiti is poorly done and looks out of place. I could see people making their way to the park to explore and find these treasures. The subject of the art is appropriate for our rich Native American heritage…keep carving and making these logs come alive.

    Comment by BLB — 1:51 pm June 20, 2012 #

21. Thanks Tracey! I see what you mean especially the ones that post 3+ times. I will take it with a grain of salt. Blogs are new to me. I enjoy sharing photos of what I find interesting. My brother always says, “life is short, don’t let the little things bother you.”

    Comment by WsBoB — 1:55 pm June 20, 2012 #

22. love the carvings. they fit in with their natural surroundings, there’s no toxic paint left behind, they provide a nice surprise while walking along the beach, and the whole experience gives us an opportunity to celebrate the artists in our midst!

    Comment by m — 3:50 pm June 20, 2012 #

23. Thanks Bob. I think the aquatic-inspired art is a good thing; demonstrating that this beach is shared by creatures and people alike.
    .
    I learned back in college (environmental studies) that I have to pick my battles to help save the planet.
    .
    And really, in the scope of environmental wreckage this doesn’t even register.

    Comment by RG — 4:41 pm June 20, 2012 #

24. Why does it have to be all or nothing, Denise? The vast majority of the nature around us, from the streets of West Seattle to national parks, has been managed, mismanaged, altered, and shaped…by us. This is just a bit more evident.
    .
    I mean, I saw some boulders in Ireland that somebody had carved abstract shapes all over. It’s some of the oldest existing art in the world.

    Comment by datamuse — 7:18 pm June 20, 2012 #

25. I agree with Denise and felt the same way the first I heard about this. I appreciate that the artists do this with good intentions, honestly. But the reason I go hiking and camping is to get away from human design. In a park, which is of course shaped by humans, I can get a sense of this without leaving the city. When natural objects are carved and shaped, that feeling is lost. I know they didn’t mean any harm, quite the contrary. I think their intention was generous. But I wish they’d find a different place to do this.

    Comment by Robert — 10:07 pm June 20, 2012 #

26. That anyone calls this vandalism makes me feel sad. Can you not see the beauty in this act?

    Comment by evergreen — 10:24 pm June 20, 2012 #

27. I am glad that Denise shared her views.

    Comment by Lura Ercolano — 10:57 pm June 20, 2012 #

28. graffiti art is not the same as tagging, are you serious? what about carving that is not “art” in your opinions? what if people started carving their initials on all the driftwood?
    all i was saying was, art is subjective and thats why it doesn’t seem okay. denise was much more articulate but i share her view exactly.

    Comment by forrealtho — 8:15 am June 21, 2012 #

29. I think the carvings are great, I don’t see any reason to worry about what the next person is going to do until he or she shows up – that sounds like something the government would do.

    Comment by Sound Ad Group — 8:59 am June 21, 2012 #

30. I look at the carvings much the same way I hear music. I love listening to music, and do it often. But if I’m in the park, and someone is blasting their boom-box, I don’t care for it. Even if they are playing my favorite song.

    Same thing with the carvings. I agree they are beautiful, but I don’t like the message the act sends. It says “go ahead and carve something”.

    I think driftwood logs are beautiful in the way they twist and and crack naturally. They don’t need any enhancement.

    If the park wants to sanction a spot to display art, that’s fine with me. But I’m weary of permitting anyone who thinks they are an artist to start hacking away at the logs. Enough. What is there is fine, but no more.

    Comment by VBD — 9:04 am June 21, 2012 #

31. We need to scrub off all cave paintings, burn all totem poles and grind Stonehenge into dust – none of them are natural. Folks, it’s DRIFTWOOD. There’s a strong chance that it’s there due to some action from a human in the first place. The logs will float out to sea, roll over, sand will grind away at the carvings – it’s all just temporary. And all you that think it is going to lead to others carving the logs – why not carry it to the extreme? Next thing you know people will be attacking our houses with chainsaws – where will it all end? Better run for your bunkers. It’s funny that a little carving on driftwood stirs so many emotions yet paved pathways, ziplines, swimming pools, picnic shelters, sewage treatment plants and swing sets are all considered “part of nature?” You must be going absolutely crazy when you enjoy your “nature walks” on a paved pathway. . . .or maybe you prefer blacktop to what many consider art.

    Comment by 2 Much Whine — 10:51 am June 21, 2012 #

32. For the last couple of weekends my two kids have begged me to take them down to see the amazing carvings! They have gone down and traced the carving with their little hands! They are getting super excited and cannot wait to see a real seal and sea lion! What an amazing piece of art that really connects us to nature and this beautiful world we live in! I want give thanks to the artists for the enjoyment they have put into my life and my kids lives when we walk to the beach! I love West Seattle so much! Thank you!

    Comment by DC — 12:42 pm June 21, 2012 #

33. 2 Much Whine doesn’t make much sense. Your first comment amounts to saying that you can comment, but others can’t. Your latest overstates others’ positions in order to make them seem unreasonable.

    Comment by Robert — 4:27 pm June 21, 2012 #

34. I agree with 2 Much Whine. The PC crowd drives me bonkers b/c they really can’t see shades of gray, every issue is black & white.

    Comment by evergreen — 2:48 pm June 22, 2012 #

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