About the Sculpture:

Rainforest is located on Western Washington University’s campus near the Wade King Recreation Center, so once you set foot on the South campus, it will be one of the first sculptures you will notice. It was commissioned in 1959 and finally announced in the 1960. This was one of Western Washington University’s first sculptures. This is a bronze fountain representing the Olympic Peninsula’s temperate rain forest. Perhaps his intent refers to the Pacific Northwest and it’s natural resources within the area. Because he was known for being a vital artist in the Pacific Northwest, perhaps his other intent was to show the area’s natural beauty and how it is unique when compared to other parts of the world. As stated on Western’s online website about this piece:
“With its thrust in the air and bark-like pattern in bronze, the vertical structure could be a tree or stand of trees; the horizontal element could be a fallen tree. The soft trickle of the water echoes the light rain pattern persistent in the Northwest. Within the bronze work of the horizontal structure are screens with calligraphic patterns referring to the close connection between our region, China and Japan.”
About the Artist:
 
James Fitzgerald created this artwork. He was born in Seattle, Washington in 1910 and later passed away in 1973. Throughout his lifetime he was known as being one of the Pacific Northwest’s most preeminent artists of his time. James Fitzgerald was not only a sculpture, but he was a painter and a teacher. He taught at Kansas City Art Institute, the University of Washington, and was the Director of Spokane Art Center. Also, during his education he attended the University of Washington and earned a degree in architecture. Not only is Fitzgerald known for this artwork, but he is also known for his Centennial Fountain in 1972, Scudder Plaza Fountain in 1966, Thomas Jefferson Memorial Fountain in 1969, Fountain of the Northwest in 1962, and Fountain in 1965. Also, he created works for the Treasury Relief Art Project (TRAP) and the Department of Justice in the 1930’s. Lastly, he also worked on other Works Progress Administration art programs throughout Washington State.
“Among the most innovative artists active in the PNW”
Initial Reactions:
Dan Lee
Upon the first glance, you might not notice a statue is present; just a collection of pieces that look like weeds with intricate markings and holes. These wooden pieces are arranged inside a shallow fountain, where the large and central post is the product the others moving and co-existing; some are on their side and the biggest piece is standing up and everything seemed oriented around it. Highlighting the title: Rainforest, which gives the viewer an idea of the original message, but not enough to influence their interpretation. Personally, I feel it represents how the world is a combination of fundamentally flawed ideas, which accommodates these flaws, but comes together and promotes growth. This highlights how each post is incomplete, meaning the posts might be easily forgettable.
However this flaw is improved, because Fitzgerald carefully and strategically placed the posts so the whole fountain can come together.
Lindsay Norstrom
This sculpture reminds me of a swampy area or a pond, because it has different variations of the color green. The posts, both giant and small — perhaps trees or lily pads– caused me to view it in a gloomy and ominous way. This was because of the color and lack of water. I wondered how my perspective would change due to the water or even a difference in location. For instance, would the sculpture become interactive? Would the formation change? Would the water flow change my perspective? These questions highlight how the fountain is in-sync with nature. So, I wondered about the location and how its meaning has changed. Possibly because those who workout want a synthetic body type, meanwhile the fountain parallels how wanting a synthetic body is unnatural for humanity. Perhaps James Fitzgerald’s purpose, meanwhile posing the question: what is humanities real purpose in life?
Reflections:
Dan Lee
Before researching the sculpture, it seemed like a collection of vaguely artistic sculptures carefully arranged in a fountain as a nice thing to look at outside of the recreation center. Now, I can see the ways the sculpture has been worked with to give it the illusion of the rainforest. All of the metal has been worked on the outside to make it look like bark from the Olympic Rainforest. The sculpture lives inside a fountain so the fountain can get water all over the entire piece, like an actual rain forest.
Lindsay Norstrom
When researching about this sculpture, I found it hard to discover James Fitzgerald’s reason for doing the artwork he does. Because of the aspects of his art I found – the bronze fountains – I wondered if he had a love for nature, meaning the bronze symbolizes a natural element in the universe. Because oftentimes, people overlook the beauty in nature. Perhaps his other sculptures could give more insight for his artwork.
Responsibilities:
Lindsay – Work on WordPress Site, Research Artist and Sculpture, Contribute pictures of artist
Dan – Using his own Camera for filming/photography, Filming and Editing the Video, Uploading it to YouTube
Together – Contributed and Condensed our Initial Reactions, Research, and Reflections