Solstice Plaza

Date: 1998

Media: Rustic terrazzo, cast bronze icons and text, cast glass

Dimensions: 65’ x 29’ x 15”

Commissioned by: The Quadrant Corporation

The Solstice Plaza was designed to be part of the Quadrant Lake Union Center in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood, which has hosted an annual Solstice Parade since 1989. The plan of the Plaza is based on a 17th Century depiction of the earth’s progress around the sun by the astronomer Cellarius. The blue rustic terrazzo pavement is set with four 28” diameter unique bronze castings of the earth in the stations of the solstices and equinoxes, as well as over forty smaller unique bronze castings related to historical and contemporary solstice imagery, and twenty-five cast glass stars. A golden terrazzo planter/circular bench in the center serves as the sun. Cast bronze text set into the top of the planter quotes a passage about the sun and its progress from John Milton’s great epic poem Paradise Lost.

The Solstice Plaza in Fremont, Seattle, Washington

A public art installation of terrazzo, cast bronze, and cast glass illustrating the earth's progress around the sun.

The Solstice Plaza Aerial View

The Solstice Plaza from the Aurora Bridge, just after completion.

Solstice Plaza Flying Bronze Sun

A cast bronze "flying sun" inlaid into rustic terrazzo as part of the Solstice Plaza.

Solstice Plaza Cast Glass Star

The blue terrazzo "sky" sparkles with a number of cast glass stars backed with gold leaf.

Solstice Plaza Terrazzo Planter

The top of the planter is inlaid with a passage from John Milton's epic poem "Paradise Lost."