How does this artwork elucidate its Description?
Mike Ross's Jet Kiss is suspended approximately 50 feet (15 m) above the platform of Capitol Hill station, a light rail station in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood. The piece consists of two decommissioned United States Navy A-4 Skyhawk fighter jets, which were disassembled and painted magenta and yellow. The military markings are preserved with a layer of translucent paint. Both jets are arranged nose-to-nose and span 90 feet (27 m) along the platform, fitting between struts that form the station's walls.Ross said he wanted the piece to exude organic forms, drawn from the city and its surroundings. The choice of magenta and yellow paint for the jets was a move to offset the city's stereotypical overcast skies. The choice of jets was a reference to the city's aviation history; its use of a non-aggressive and bird-like arrangement (itself a reference to the city bird, the Blue heron) was a counter to the inherent aggressiveness of jets as a symbol.The piece was given a budget of $440,000 by Sound Transit's public art program. Jet Kiss is joined by two murals from local cartoonist Ellen Forney at two of the three entrances to the station; Forney stated that she designed one of her pieces, "Crossed Pinkies", as a response to Jet Kiss.As part of regular maintenance, Jet Kiss is cleaned of dust during overnight shifts by transit workers.
Capitol Hill Sound Transit Blue heron light rail Seattle fighter jet Capitol Hill station dust United States Navy Ellen Forney public art transit mural Mike Ross A-4 Skyhawk