"Father and Son"
2004-2005
Louise Bourgeois
Stainless steel, aluminum, water and bronze bell
36' x 26' fountain basin, 6'5" father, 4'9" son
This fountain is also a sculpture, so the whole thing is a peice of art. I didn't see a plaque for the fountain, so I've tried to find a bit of info on it on the internet. If someone visits who sees a plaque, please post a picture of it.
It seems that the fountain, the father and son, the "eye" benches and the deck with the bell are all created by Louise Bourgeois to be a whole peice of art.
In the middle of the fountain is a nude statue of a man and a little boy (father and son). They are facing each other with their arms outstretched. The fountain water alternates between coming up around one and then the other. It is lit at night.
Here is a link talking about the park (not the official website below): (
visit link)
Here is an interesting quote about the sculpture and artist (not the official website below): (
visit link)
"Soon Seattleites can admire a public nude sculpture and fountain in the Olympic Sculpture Park.
Here's the story: A guy leaves $1 million to the Seattle Art Museum only if his gift goes to secure a fountain with a nude male figure. SAM puts the feelers out and chooses a proposal from well-known and highly respected French sculptor, 94-year-old Louise Bourgeois.
Here the artist describes her design: "The passage of time and its continuity have long been a theme in my work. 'Father and Son' is a fountain...which consists of two mounds of water arising from an oval basin. 'Father and Son' is also a clock that will mark the 24 hours of the day. In the interior volumes created by the water are two naked figures cast in bronze.
"One represents the son who is approximately 6 years of age, and the other represents the father, a man in his 40s. The figures will be held in the air on a column that will serve as a feed to create the two mounds of gushing water that will hide the naked figures. The boy's hand reaches up and out to embrace the father. The father in turn reaches out to embrace his son. The volumes of water will be on a timer to mark the 24 hours of the day, accompanied by the ringing of a bell. On the hour, the water of one of the mounds will be lowered to reveal the son. At the next hour when the bell rings, the water will rise hiding the son, while the other mound of water will descend to reveal the father ...
"There will be a constant alternation between the revealing of the father and the son. At night, the fountain will be lit, using optic fibers to bring in color."
It's interesting to note Bourgeois was left to raise her three boys after her husband died, and father/son relationship issues are a running theme in her work.
So, we have a father and son, naked to represent the vulnerability (or lack of) within their relationship. Although they reach out to each other, they never quite connect. They are alternately covered with a cascade of water, which represents their emotional veil."