|
By ANN ROSENBERG Seattle cultural complexes – chapter 1
The recently renovated Tashiro Kaplan Artists Lofts building in Pioneer Square, Seattle, home to artists’ live/work studios and art galleries. SEATTLE is fortunate to have two recently renovated art-oriented spaces in close conversation with each other in Pioneer Square on Third Avenue South between Yesler Way and South Main.
At the moment, this organization is responsible for 30 projects throughout America and 15 more similar ventures are in progress (see www.ArtspaceUSA.org). The projects typically provide artists with rent-stable, affordable lofts where they can live and work, situated in properties purchased and upgraded by Artspace, usually in or near a city’s downtown core. Often the renovations also include (as TK in Seattle does) places for art exhibitions in ground level galleries managed by commercial and non-profit dealers and appropriate retail and food outlets. For the 50 artists who reside in the TK, there is a protective pro-culture mandate and an environment that is relatively free of drug dealers and panhandlers. Even before it was finished, TK was drawing art venues from other places in Seattle into its environs. Howard House moved from its former premise to a roomier place on Second Avenue in 2004. The Garde Rail and Soil Galleries relocated to the TK and soon these were joined by three new endeavours: the Platform Gallery, Forgotten Works and Gallery 4 Culture. Since then, Davidson Contemporary, G. Gibson Gallery, La Familia and Gallery 110 have assumed leases. (For further information regarding the complex consult www.tklofts.com). The conversion of the Anchor building into the TK has preserved the essence of the edifice's early 20th-century design and its brick cladding. The huge windows of the upper storeys cast generous light into the studio interiors (where the larger units are 1,200 feet and may include separate rooms). As in the past, they can be opened to admit fresh air. The striking steel braces inside and outside are 2lst- century earthquake-proofing devices that add to the aesthetics of the complex. Two other venues in the developing east end of Seattle’s Pioneer Square are also worth special attention. Greg Kucera’s large gallery complex which opened in 1998 and the new Foster/White Gallery which will be open by the time the April/May Preview is published, will be the subjects next issue. Ann Rosenberg is a freelance curator, critic, and author. |
|
||||||||||||
 |