Artwork copyright Sumi Wu. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Artwork copyright Sumi Wu. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Artwork copyright Sumi Wu. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Artwork copyright Sumi Wu. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Artwork copyright Sumi Wu. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Artwork copyright Sumi Wu. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Artwork copyright Sumi Wu. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Artwork copyright Sumi Wu. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Artwork copyright Sumi Wu. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Artwork copyright Sumi Wu. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Artwork copyright Sumi Wu. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Artwork copyright Sumi Wu. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Artwork copyright Sumi Wu. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Artwork copyright Sumi Wu. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Artwork copyright Sumi Wu. Photo courtesy of the artist (detail).
BounceSplashSwim, 2019
Sumi Wu
American (born 1967)
Location: Genesee Hill School, Seattle
About the Artwork
BounceSplashSwim is a suspended installation created by artist Sumi Wu for Genesee Hill School. Made up of five thematic components, the installation stretches across the main atrium. Each thematic grouping visualizes a different form of energy. 'Bounce' shows the trajectory of a bouncing ball. 'Ear Bones' shows how sound reaches our brain via our eardrum and three bones known as hammer, anvil, and stirrup. The rings in 'Sound Waves' show how sound vibrations move through the air like ripples. 'Splash' translates those vibrations into ripples on water. Finally, 'Swim' shows a school of fish energetically swimming. Together, the installation shows us how our perceptions and senses can spark ideas. Wu notes, "I believe that as children we are constantly learning experientially. We learn the laws of physics by bouncing a ball, moving our bodies, sending our voices out in to the air. But these elements of physics are filtered by our perceptions, and how our minds interpret experience."
This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Seattle Public Schools.
About the Artist
Portland, Oregon-based artist Sumi Wu is a sculptor, welder, potter, costume designer, theater set designer, and dancer. Her artworks often focus on ideas about science and technology.Sumi Wu grew up on a farm in Eastern Washington and in Los Alamos, New Mexico. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Japanese Studies from Stanford University in California, after starting in the physics department. She went on to study pottery, sculpture, and drawing at the University of Alaska and welding at Clark College in Vancouver, Washington.
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