Featured Public Art: Eleven Straight Lines by Bernar Venet

Martin Selig is an avid art collector whose numerous public art installations are prevalent across his commercial properties. From modern, colorful pieces to historic and elegant works, you can see his various art installations throughout Seattle, adding a splash of life to sidewalks and courtyards across the city. This month, we’re zooming in on Eleven Straight Lines, by French sculptor Bernar Venet, which has been a part of Mr. Selig’s collection since 2008. You can find this installation at the Selig complex at 635 and 645 Elliott West.  

About The Sculpture

Like most of Bernar Venet’s sculptures, Eleven Straight Lines showcases large-scale metal works. This piece, standing at 382 inches tall, is cast in Venet’s signature style which uses corten steel plates and beams, often in the shape of lines, arcs, and curves. Venet says his sculptures are not modeled after external influences, but instead come from within. He is fascinated with the strength and durability of metal, and says each sculpture is  “a test of strength—a battle between [himself] and the piece of metal.”

Works by Bernar Venet

Bernar Venet is a conceptual artist, best known for his works in metal, but also skilled at drawing, painting, stage design, and musical composition. As a child, Venet was often sick and couldn’t participate in many outdoor activities. Because he was often confined to his home,  he cultivated a love for art from a young age. His work gained popularity throughout the 1960’s, when he became famous for his industrial themed gravel, coal, and asphalt works, as well as his minimalist paintings. Today, his works are displayed around the world in museums and public installations. The artist, now in his 80’s, spends his time between New York and France.

Eleven Straight Lines is located at the edge of Elliott Bay welcoming employees at the Elliott West complex. Many of Venet’s other works sit at the entryways to French castles, royal landmarks, and internationally renowned art museums. Venet’s sculptures can be found at the Jardins des Pharo in Marseilles, France, at international art museums including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Art Institute of Chicago, Fotomuseum Winterthur in Switzerland, and were displayed at the Palace of Versailles in 2011.  

To learn more about Martin Selig’s art collection, visit our website. To keep up with the latest from Martin Selig Real Estate, join our email list by clicking “Subscribe” at the top of this page.