Homage to Living Systems
Betsy Damon
Chinook Bend Natural Area
A three-part artwork honors the lifecycle of water and the increasing bio-dynamism of Chinook Bend.
The Chinook Bend Natural Area in Carnation, WA sits inside the Snoqualmie River's 100-year floodplain, bordered by the river on three sides. King County has taken a holistic approach to water management, recycling reclaimed water and restoring the floodplain with forest, wetland, and improved wildlife habitat. In Homage to Living Systems, artist Betsy Damon celebrates the energy of Chinook Bend and tells a story about the importance of water.
Three elements comprise the artwork: Living Water Compass features a low relief image of a magnified drop of water, full of vitality and vortices—a metaphor for the site returning to an integrated living system. Pole to Measure Floods identifies flood levels by measuring the rising and falling waters across the seasons. Seating Stones, etched glacial boulders with natural imagery and text that signals revitalization, such as “reveal,” “restore,” and “revere,” provides a place for visitors to rest and view the river and surrounding environs.Continue Reading ›
A New York-based artist, activist, and designer, Damon has been focused on promoting the preservation, protection, and restoration of natural and engineered water systems for over 40 years. Other significant projects include the Living Water Garden in Chengdu, China; Sounds of Water in Turtle Bay Arboretum, Redding, CA; and the Beijing Olympic Forest Park in Beijing, China.