Turn your gazes up, Eastsiders. Bellevue’s going to have a striking public art piece to show off soon.

Those walking around Downtown Park may notice a major installation underway that looks like giant orchid petals. the work from Brooklyn-based art studio THEVERYMANY is the final piece of the park’s Northeast Gateway and is expected to be completed in six-to-eight weeks.

Peep this out 👀

Every day, ~26,000 people travel through the busy downtown junction where the artwork will stand, which is why Bellevue's Arts Commission wanted a statement piece — it'll be one of the largest sculptures in the city at 24-ft high.

After a public process, the commission tabbed THEVERYMANY for its use of innovative techniques and tech appreciation — all hallmarks of Bellevue. The studio created fluted columns that will form a light-filled canopy, blending a futuristic vision with plant-like features (appropriate for a location surrounded by so much greenery).

Anybody got a wrench? 🔧

This isn’t your basic park statue plopped down near a fountain, though. The untitled piece has a lot of moving parts — 6,600 unique panels, to be exact, and 60,000 handmade folds that all need to be fastened with 180,000+ rivets. Hope it came with an instruction manual.

When finished, the art will tie together the other features of the Northeast Gateway completed over the past couple of years, including a water feature and plaza.

Upgrades continue for the pedestrian corridor running through downtown Bellevue. | Photo by Claude Iosso

Calling all creatives 🎨

This piece will carry on the series of public art in Bellevue installtions that goes back more than 40 years and includes works by renowned names like Jaehyo Lee, Albert Paley, and Judy Onorfio.

If inspiration strikes, local creators can apply for a grant, decorate autility box, or join the Eastside Artists Roster, which is often put into action for projects like the Northeast Gateway. Bust out those smocks.