Black Sun, Granite sculpture in Volunteer Park, Seattle, US
Black Sun is a granite sculpture in Volunteer Park with a circular form carved from polished black granite and measuring about 2.7 meters across. It sits near a reservoir and can be viewed from multiple angles, each offering different perspectives of downtown Seattle and the Olympic Mountains.
Japanese-American artist Isamu Noguchi created this sculpture in 1969, merging Eastern and Western artistic traditions in his design. The work became part of Seattle's permanent art landscape and reflects Noguchi's philosophy of bridging different cultural perspectives.
The sculpture frames views of the Space Needle and Elliott Bay, becoming a central element of Seattle's outdoor art collection near the Asian Art Museum.
The sculpture and its viewing area are wheelchair accessible, allowing visitors to approach and view the work from multiple angles. The park location provides shelter and remains accessible in various weather conditions, giving visitors time to explore different perspectives.
Contrary to common assumption, Soundgarden's song 'Black Hole Sun' was not inspired by this sculpture, as confirmed by singer Chris Cornell. This demonstrates how the artwork sparks local speculation and interpretation, even when the actual story differs.
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