Artwork copyright Patrick Zentz and Barbara Swift. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission.

Artwork copyright Patrick Zentz and Barbara Swift. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Patrick Zentz and Barbara Swift. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Patrick Zentz and Barbara Swift. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission.

Artwork copyright Patrick Zentz and Barbara Swift. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Patrick Zentz and Barbara Swift. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Patrick Zentz and Barbara Swift. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Grove, 1992

Patrick Zentz and Barbara Swift
Patrick Zentz (American, born 1947); Barbara Swift (American, born 1952)

Location: Western State Hospital, Lakewood

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Grove is a sound and environmental installation created by artist team Barbara Swift and Patrick Zentz. It is comprised of a series of parabolic-shaped benches and sound poles. The benches and poles are set in rings around a grove of mature Sequoia fir trees. The artists note that the installation "gently encourages people to involve themselves more intensely with the environment – landform, weather, sun, shadow, season shelter and exposure. […] The sculpture attempts to focus people's attention on the phenomena of wind at the site and its interaction with the tree, and on the two sets of sound poles with their humming wires. The spatial arrangement of the benches and sound poles is intended to heighten the awareness of the majestic scale of the grove within the context of the valley."

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Department of Social and Health Services.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Patrick Zentz creates sculptural and environmental installations. He studied biology and genetics at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California. He received a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Montana in 1974. His artworks incorporate kinetic, sound, and environmental elements.
Barbara Swift is a landscape architect. She received a degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Washington in Seattle in the mid-1970s. Her works explore sensory experience and the physical and emotional impact of our environment.