Northwest Frame of Mind

Weekly Photo Challenge: Scale (Dragons in Chinatown) B&W Challenge 4

Published by

Lisa

February 6, 2015

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.

51 responses to “Weekly Photo Challenge: Scale (Dragons in Chinatown) B&W Challenge 4”

sustainabilitea

February 6, 2015

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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1. NW Frame of Mind
  
  February 6, 2015
  
  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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onomatopoeicbliss

February 6, 2015

When did they instal these? I don’t recall seeing them last time I was there.

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1. NW Frame of Mind
  
  February 6, 2015
  
  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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andy1076

February 6, 2015

300lb! wow, almost like a gargoyle lying in wait eh? I always love the details of dragons 🙂

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1. NW Frame of Mind
  
  February 6, 2015
  
  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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  1. andy1076
    
    February 6, 2015
    
    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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  2. NW Frame of Mind
    
    February 6, 2015
    
    I agree. 🙂
    
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  3. andy1076
    
    February 6, 2015
    
    😊🐉
    
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D’Arcy H

February 6, 2015

Wow, spectacular! I’ll have to check these beauties out!

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1. NW Frame of Mind
  
  February 6, 2015
  
  Thanks, D’Arcy. You’ll have to go seen them in person. 🙂
  
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sunsetdragon

February 6, 2015

This is very cool.

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1. NW Frame of Mind
  
  February 6, 2015
  
  I’m glad you like it. 🙂
  
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luminouszest

February 6, 2015

very awesome! love this:-) chinatown has the unique asian arts of course.

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1. NW Frame of Mind
  
  February 6, 2015
  
  Thank you! We really enjoyed our day here. 🙂
  
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Just Another Nature Enthusiast

February 6, 2015

With the high winds associated with the weather systems moving into the Northwest this weekend… that was great planning.
Jane

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1. NW Frame of Mind
  
  February 7, 2015
  
  Yes it was, Jane. 🙂 What a blustery winter weekend we’re having.
  
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joshi daniel

February 6, 2015

that is something interesting 🙂

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1. NW Frame of Mind
  
  February 7, 2015
  
  Thanks, Joshi. 🙂
  
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Leya

February 7, 2015

Great! What colours are they in? Love dragons.

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1. NW Frame of Mind
  
  February 7, 2015
  
  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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  1. Leya
    
    February 7, 2015
    
    Looking forward to them!
    
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yprior1

February 7, 2015

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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1. NW Frame of Mind
  
  February 7, 2015
  
  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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  1. yprior1
    
    February 7, 2015
    
    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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storstadsnatur

February 7, 2015

Catching the mind. 🙂

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1. NW Frame of Mind
  
  February 7, 2015
  
  Thanks!
  
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Amy

February 7, 2015

300 Ib and 2 years… A beautiful dragon sculpture

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1. NW Frame of Mind
  
  February 7, 2015
  
  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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Patrick

February 7, 2015

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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1. NW Frame of Mind
  
  February 7, 2015
  
  He does look pretty calm, Patrick.
  
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Otto von Münchow

February 7, 2015

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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1. NW Frame of Mind
  
  February 7, 2015
  
  Thanks, Otto. I hope you get to spend some time with the dragons when you’re back in Seattle. 🙂
  
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NancyTex

February 7, 2015

Wonderful picture!

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1. NW Frame of Mind
  
  February 7, 2015
  
  Thanks, Nancy!
  
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Paula

February 7, 2015

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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1. NW Frame of Mind
  
  February 7, 2015
  
  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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  1. Paula
    
    February 8, 2015
    
    🙂
    
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vastlycurious.com

February 7, 2015

This is my favorite by far! Bravo!! The pigeon doesn’t even look worried!

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1. NW Frame of Mind
  
  February 7, 2015
  
  Thanks! The pigeon was so relaxed we had to laugh. 🙂
  
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  1. vastlycurious.com
    
    February 8, 2015
    
    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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  2. NW Frame of Mind
    
    February 8, 2015
    
    If you figure out a way in let me know. 😉 Hotel room photos can be so awful!
    
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  3. vastlycurious.com
    
    February 11, 2015
    
    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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  4. NW Frame of Mind
    
    February 12, 2015
    
    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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  5. vastlycurious.com
    
    February 13, 2015
    
    Thats so true Lisa 🌷
    
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Robin

February 7, 2015

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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1. NW Frame of Mind
  
  February 7, 2015
  
  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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Tina Schell

February 7, 2015

Great – especially w the bird!

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1. NW Frame of Mind
  
  February 7, 2015
  
  Thanks, Tina!
  
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dunelight

February 16, 2015

Brilliant the way the bird and lamp mimic the dragon.

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1. NW Frame of Mind
  
  February 16, 2015
  
  Thank you!
  
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