One of my favorite public art installations in Seattle is the series of 11 Chinese dragons twisting and turning their way across light poles in Chinatown’s International District. Under the direction of chief designer Martin Brunt it took a team of sculptors, painters, boat builders and a feng shui expert two years to complete the 300 lb dragons and though the intricate details and carefully pained scales look delicate they are designed to withstand winds up to 90 mph.
This is my 4th image for the Black & White 5 Day Challenge and is posted as part of the Weekly Photo Challenge: Scale.
Northwest Frame of Mind 
I like it, too, Lisa, but I’d love to see it in color. Looks good in B&W, though.
janet
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I want to go back and get some good color images soon, Janet. I’ll be sure to share them here!
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When did they instal these? I don’t recall seeing them last time I was there.
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They went up during the summer of 2002 but are spread across the district so it’s possible to miss them during a visit.
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300lb! wow, almost like a gargoyle lying in wait eh? I always love the details of dragons 🙂
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Definitely like gargoyles Andy, just a little bit bigger. 🙂 I didn’t know they were this heavy when we were standing underneath for the photo…
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It’s good that they can withstand heavy winds, but now that I know? I think I’ll be just fine across lol
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I agree. 🙂
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😊🐉
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Wow, spectacular! I’ll have to check these beauties out!
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Thanks, D’Arcy. You’ll have to go seen them in person. 🙂
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This is very cool.
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I’m glad you like it. 🙂
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very awesome! love this:-) chinatown has the unique asian arts of course.
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Thank you! We really enjoyed our day here. 🙂
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With the high winds associated with the weather systems moving into the Northwest this weekend… that was great planning.
Jane
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Yes it was, Jane. 🙂 What a blustery winter weekend we’re having.
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that is something interesting 🙂
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Thanks, Joshi. 🙂
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Great! What colours are they in? Love dragons.
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They are in shades of green, blue and yellow. This one is green and very pretty in person, I’ll get better photos the next time I’m in the area. 🙂
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Looking forward to them!
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Great shot for scale – and the feel of the radiating lines – from the dragon – gives it more interest –
and actually, the scales to the right and even the point from the bird just had me feeling the composition here –
and I look forward to seeing the color version as well –
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Thanks, Yvette. I liked how the bird was sitting so calmly while it looks like the dragon is getting ready for a snack. 🙂
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and in this tone – it all flows and blends – but I also read the comments and that was funny what you said about the pigeon
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Catching the mind. 🙂
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Thanks!
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300 Ib and 2 years… A beautiful dragon sculpture
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Thank you, Amy. Each one is in a different pose and a lot of fun to study as you walk down the street.
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I have to say, the pigeon does not seem too impressed by the presence of a dragon. It only he knew what fire lurked inside…
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He does look pretty calm, Patrick.
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I lovely graphical composition. I like the dragon clinging on to the mast. I guess I need to explore Chinatown’s International District a bit more. 🙂
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Thanks, Otto. I hope you get to spend some time with the dragons when you’re back in Seattle. 🙂
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Wonderful picture!
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Thanks, Nancy!
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You weren’t kidding 😀 A great initiative and I am sure it brightened up the neighbourhood. Super cool angle to shoot it, Lisa!
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The District wanted a way to call attention to their area in a busy part of the city and these dragons have been great markers. I’m glad you like this shot, Paula!
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🙂
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This is my favorite by far! Bravo!! The pigeon doesn’t even look worried!
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Thanks! The pigeon was so relaxed we had to laugh. 🙂
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It was a great photograph really. Frameable. If you saw the horrible photos that hang in hotels here! I always wonder how to crack that market.
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If you figure out a way in let me know. 😉 Hotel room photos can be so awful!
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I would LOVE TOO!! I will ask my son. Work such as yours would fit in any Asian Hotel in the world. Whimsical and worldly and arty. The place I was in last week had amateur macro photos of rain drops on leaves in every room , hallway and lobby. They were really poor. How did this petdon luck out is the question?
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Some people just manage to be in the right place at the right time is all I can figure. 🙂 Thanks for your nice comments though!
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Thats so true Lisa 🌷
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I love the dragon and the way you shot this, but the thing that caught my eye was the bird on top of the light.
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The contrast between the pigeon and the dragon is what brought us over to this pole, Robin. I’m glad you saw the same thing. 🙂
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Great – especially w the bird!
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Thanks, Tina!
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Brilliant the way the bird and lamp mimic the dragon.
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Thank you!
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