That’s the subject line of reader e-mail we just received — wondering if “Walking on Logs” was OK after a crash in the area last night — the reader was driving past that spot on the Fauntleroy end of the WS Bridge approach and saw an overturned car (as well as police cars and a tow truck). We won’t be able to go by to check for a few hours; in the meantime, any and all info appreciated. 7:40 PM UPDATE: Just drove by, looks none the worse for wear.
Not that I advocate willful vandalism, but I wouldn’t mind some act of God taking out “Walking on Logs.” I’m sure the people behind it were well-intentioned. It’s a shame that such a monumental piece of kitsch is the first thing to greet everyone as they enter West Seattle.
I absolutely love that statue as do all my visitors and friends from other parts of the city…..I think it is a great piece to welcome people to WS.
“Walking on Logs” may not belong in the Olympic Sculpture Park, BUT…those sculptures and the well-tended patch that surrounds them are the only bright spot in an otherwise weedy, garbage-strewn, overgrown eyesore of a city-owned space.
I have e-mailed the city repeatedly to request that this stretch of Fauntleroy (both sides of road up to 35th) be cleaned up… Does it bother anyone else that one of the main entrances to West Seattle is never maintained???
Are you nuts?? I think it’s cool and I LOVE when people dress ’em up for events. Maybe you’d prefer a neighborhood where the first thing to greet you as you enter is Home Depot or McD’s???
The first time I came to WS I saw them all dressed up and thought it was great! I’ve always wondered who’s responsible for that – do people just go in and take off whatever is there and put their own stuff on? Is there some obscure schedule somewhere of when it’s your turn to dress the statues? I love it.
Apparently the artist of the sculpture doesn’t much care for it being dressed up. http://www.historylink.org/essays/output.cfm?file_id=3834 (near bottom of article) “Levine, a purist, finds such gestures exasperating.”
What is so shameful about that being the “first thing to greet everyone as they enter West Seattle”?
As Cruiser posted, it’s better than seeing HD or McD’s first thing. Or how about a sign with a picture of a townhouse on it, with directional arrows facing every direction, and the statement “at next light” since that’s about the most noticable thing around here these days?
The Seattle area as a whole has lost alot of it’s uniqueness, or character in the last decade or so, much of it in the name of “progress”. I realize much of it is inevitible, but it sickens me to see my lifelong home becoming so homogenized.
Though Walking on Logs is a relatively recent addtion to our area, it helps to differientate our community from “Anywhere USA”.
Mike
Sue – since they’re frequently all dressed identically, I don’t think it’s an impulse thing. I think it must be people who live near there. It must be like dressing life-size dolls. I enjoy looking at them, too.
In order to dress up the “kids” you have to get permission and scheduled via the City of Seattle. So it’s usually an organization with matching T-Shirts, or a community group who do it. I like the comment “It’s not the Olympic Sculpture park…” but it IS whimsy, and we always need a dose of that!
I’m always amazed at how the city neglects it’s property, like that around the statues, at the entrance to West Seattle. And the mayor probably uses Admiral Way so never pays attention to it. Maybe we should hire the goats. It’s totally sad the neglect that there is in parts of the city, and it’s the city’s responsibility. If it were private property, we wouldn’t be allowed to do it.
Just my 2 cents…and I love the statues…:)
There is actually a long-time West Seattle resident named Earl Cruzen who takes care of the landscaping around the statues. I believe he is 86 years old. You will see him out there weeding and picking up trash … sometimes alone and sometimes with assistance for hours on end. He used to maintain a calendar for those who wanted to schedule decorating the statues (community groups, etc), but relinquished that responsibility a year or so ago to the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, which now keeps that calendar. The City is actually the place to call about the overpass bridge, not the statues.
I guess I’m not talking about the little area that the statues is on…I’m talking about the rest of the hillside.The statue area itself is a nice little oasis surrounded by an overgrown hillside. I realize dollars are stretched in the city, but…it’s the main entrance to our community, and it’s ugly, except for the statue area. Maybe a community work party after the goats?
It’s very easy to organize a work party if you have a problem with city property. Instead of complaining about it, why not take the bull by the horns and just do it!
Dang N, I’m with you. I cringe a little every time I see that thing. And yes, to me it does look like something from Hallmark. To say “at least it’s better than nothing” is disingenuous. It’s a missed opportunity. Not the image I wanted representing me.
I remember people having a similar discussion about “Waiting For the Interurban”, but I never reacted negatively to that. I always found it interesting and the exceptionally creative way the Fremont community interacted with it was always pleasant as well. They never merely dressed them up in matching t-shirts. Maybe they just weren’t applying for government permits.
I was born in West Seattle in 1959 and I approved this message.
I love seeing the statues dressed up. One of the funniest was when someone put bras and panties on all them- that didn’t last too long though.
Dis… my point was…the city should be responsible for city property. They have a blind eye, not only there but all over the city. Yes, I realize that citizens should step up, but I don’t see the point if the city does nothing to help…guess it’s the principle?
Just goes to show the truth of the old saw, “There’s no accounting for taste.” I mean, that’s kind of the deal with art, isn’t it? Most of us like it, some of us love it, and some of us think it’s schlock. I personally HATE “Waiting for the Interurban.” It makes me want to take out spray paint and sparkles. I love “Walking on Logs.” Always have. Can’t explain it. Joie de vivre or something.
Just wanted to raise one more lonely voice who doesn’t care for the sculpture. Are these logs referencing any actual logs in the area that people walk on or used to walk on (in synchronized outfits), or is just depicting some random frolic from someone’s idealized childhood? Or are they, like, a metaphor for, uh, forestry? For those who like the statues: is it the sculpture itself you like, or the Mr. Potato-Head style dress-up games?
Sage….click on the link posted above in a post by Sue…it’s the 6th one from the top…it tells the history of the man who made the statues, and it tells why it’s called Walking on Logs…it’s an interesting read…
Shoot, I’m actually disappointed…I always thought that name had something to do with kids walking on beach logs – at Alki, Lincoln Park, whatever. Not so whimsical anymore.
Mr. Cruzen – I appreciate what you’ve done for W. Seattle! You have done much to preserve the history and charm of it. Thank you for your efforts. TP
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