Lundeberg Derby Monument, Public monument at Seattle Convention Center, United States
The Lundeberg Derby Monument is an art installation near the Seattle Convention Center composed of a cubic lattice framework supporting a cone-shaped top. An automated watering system keeps English ivy growing across the aluminum framework, creating a living element within the steel structure.
Artist Buster Simpson created the installation in 1987 as a reference to the 1855 treaty between Chief Sealth and early settlers. The work uses symbolic elements to weave together two perspectives of Seattle's founding.
The monument visually connects the stories of the Duwamish people and early settlers through its design elements placed in a public space. The living ivy growing on the structure shows how nature participates in telling this shared story.
The installation sits in a public area near the Convention Center and is easily accessible on foot from downtown locations. The living ivy changes appearance through the seasons, so the visual experience varies depending on when you visit.
A wind vane built into the structure interacts with the growing ivy, helping maintain the form of the sculpture as the seasons change. This means the artwork constantly adapts through natural forces rather than remaining static.
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