Neukom Vivarium, Art installation and greenhouse in Olympic Sculpture Park, Seattle, United States
The Neukom Vivarium is a greenhouse structure spanning 80 feet that contains a fallen Western hemlock tree supporting its own ecosystem of plants and organisms. The building uses glass walls and specialized climate control to preserve and display the intricate web of life developing within the uprooted tree.
The installation was created in 2006 by artist Mark Dion using a Western hemlock tree that fell in 1996 within a protected drainage area near Seattle. The decision to preserve this fallen tree reflects a growing artistic interest in documenting natural processes and decay.
The installation merges art with hands-on nature study, inviting visitors to explore the hidden life within a fallen tree. This experience shapes how people think about the relationship between natural systems and human creativity.
Visitors receive magnifying glasses and field guide tiles to examine bacteria, fungi, insects, and plants within the controlled environment. Taking time to observe closely and using the provided resources fully enriches the experience of what is on display.
The greenhouse uses specialized technology to maintain the life processes of the fallen tree, showing the complexity of preserving natural environments in artificial conditions. Few visitors realize that the preservation process itself is as much an artistic statement as the original concept.
Location: Seattle
GPS coordinates: 47.61585,-122.35428
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:41
Seattle stretches between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, offering a mix of urban architecture, public spaces and natural areas. This route connects more than thirty stops, from the Space Needle and Pike Place Market to less visited sites like the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks or the Wing Luke Museum. The selection includes museums of contemporary and classical art, historic neighborhoods and waterfront parks. Pike Place Market sits downtown and has operated as a public market since 1907. Chihuly Garden and Glass displays the glasswork of local artist Dale Chihuly. The Museum of Pop Culture, designed by Frank Gehry, covers music, film and video games. Olympic Sculpture Park spans nine acres along the waterfront, combining outdoor sculpture with views across the bay. The Seattle Art Museum holds collections from different continents and periods. The Ballard Locks connect salt water to fresh water and include a fish ladder for migrating salmon. Discovery Park covers 534 acres with trails through forest and meadow, plus beach access. Gas Works Park preserves parts of a former coal gasification plant on Lake Union. The Museum of Flight documents aviation history with more than 175 aircraft and spacecraft. Mount Rainier National Park lies about two hours southeast and features the 14,411-foot (4,392-meter) glaciated volcano.
Space Needle
638 m
Museum of Pop Culture
759 m
Seattle Center
752 m
Pacific Science Center
446 m
Chihuly Garden and Glass
618 m
Olympic Sculpture Park
127 m
Memorial Stadium
842 m
SkyCity
660 m
The Crocodile
815 m
International Fountain
761 m
Eagle
151 m
Spire
788 m
Insignia Towers
854 m
McGuire Apartments
459 m
Father and Son
113 m
Chief Seattle
577 m
Seattle Children's Museum
671 m
McLeod Residence
752 m
Olympic Iliad
504 m
Bell Apartments
648 m
Seattle Cloud Cover
91 m
Kobe Bell
863 m
Hull Building
484 m
Lundeberg Derby Monument
424 m
Barnes Building
592 m
NFT Museum
806 m
SIFF Film Center
814 m
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