Strange plants invade a new light rail station in Shoreline, WA. The massive structure changed the nature of the formerly quiet community, so the art imagines nature slowly invading the station. Shown in this photo are forged neon-green blobby sculptures that provide additional seating for waiting riders.

Forged neon-green squiggly ferns and vines grow from cracks in the walls of the light rail station. In addition to the five large fern sculptures, the art project also includes patterns in the platform windscreens suggest lichens and mosses (or aerial views of islands?) and cut-steel screens echo the patterns of blowing tree needles (or maybe dog fur?). This surreal garden honors Octavia Butler: celebrated author, Lake Forest Park resident, transit rider, and dreamer of strange worlds.

Date: 2024
Location: Shoreline North/185th St. light rail station, Shoreline, WA
Commissioning Agency: SoundTransit
Details: Painted hand-wrought steel, glass interlayer, and cut-steel panels
Project Manager: Kurt Kiefer
Sculpture Fabrication: Magnum Companies
Sculpture Installation: Waters Construction