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On Memorial Day, May 25, 1998, sculptor
John T. Young's The Fin Project: From Swords into Plowshares was dedicated. An
environmentally-
scaled sculptural installation, located on the north loop trail of Warren G. Magnuson
Park, The Fin Project is built from the recycled dive fins of 22 retired 1960's
United States Navy attack submarines.
The aerodynamically-designed fins, placed at various angles and heights, traverse a length
of 422 feet and resemble a pod of Orca whales.
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 The Fin Project: From Swords Into
Plowshares.
Photo by John T. Young
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The artwork is a collaborative
effort between the artist, the United States Navy, which provided the fins, and a large
group of individuals and corporations who have funded the project and provided in-kind
support. Led by philanthropist Max Gurvich, the donors enthusiastically pitched in to
purchase the installation of fins, and to contribute materials and labor.
The Fin Project is also an example of Seattle s tradition of recycling. The dive
fins, constructed of steel fused to rigid foam, could not be melted down as scrap metal.
Therefore, using them in a work of art was found to be their highest and best use. Warren
G. Magnuson Park itself was surplussed by Sand Point Naval Base in 1972 when it became a
Seattle park. The City is currently developing plans to reuse the remaining land and
buildings at Sand Point Naval Base, recently purchased from the Federal government.
During the development of The Fin Project, John Young received endorsements for
his proposal from the Seattle Arts Commission's Public Art Committee, the Seattle Parks
and Recreation Board, the Seattle Design Commission and numerous community groups. The
artist worked collaboratively with Parks Department staff on the siting of the artwork and
development of a landscape and habitat plan. |
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