Seattle, Washington / Public art
'Mirall' (Sculpture)
A striking 2015 stainless steel sculpture by Jaume Plensa, featuring two towering mirror-image figures composed of global scripts, located at the Allen Institute headquarters in South Lake Union.
What is the 'Mirall' sculpture known for?
Mirall is a 2015 stainless steel public artwork by Jaume Plensa consisting of two meditative, mirror-image figures over 12 feet tall. The figures are composed of various scripts, including Latin, Chinese, Arabic, Hebrew, Hindi, Roman, and Cyrillic.
Where is Mirall located?
The sculpture is located in Seattle's South Lake Union neighborhood, specifically outside the Allen Institute (also referred to as the Paul Allen Brain Institute) near the corner of Mercer Street and Westlake Avenue North (or 9th Ave N).
What does the name 'Mirall' mean?
Mirall is named for the Catalan word for mirror.
Can you go inside the sculpture?
Yes, the sculptures have a hollow design and larger-than-life scale that allow viewers to step inside and see the intricate letterforms that create the figures.
What should I check before going?
Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.
What to know
Mirall is a permanent public artwork created by artist Jaume Plensa in 2015. The sculpture consists of two meditative, mirror-image figures that stand more than 12 feet tall and face one another. These figures are not solid, but are instead composed of intricate letterforms from multiple global scripts, including Latin, Chinese, Arabic, Hebrew, Hindi, Roman, and Cyrillic. Constructed from polished stainless steel, the installation is designed to be immersive. The hollow design and larger-than-life scale allow visitors to step inside the sculptures to view the letterforms from the interior, creating a unique perspective on the figures' composition. The artwork is located in Seattle's South Lake Union neighborhood, specifically near the corner of Mercer Street and Westlake Avenue North at the Allen Institute headquarters. It was sited for high visibility to thousands of daily pedestrians and passersby, serving as a centerpiece of Vulcan's public art siting program in the area. Named for the Catalan word for mirror, Mirall reflects the artist's native language and cultural heritage. The piece is one of over 200 artworks featured in the downtown Seattle public art guide, contributing to the city's extensive collection of permanent public installations.
Visitor tips
- Step inside the hollow figures to see the intricate letterforms from a different perspective.
- Visit during the day to see how the stainless steel reflects the surrounding South Lake Union environment.
- Allow a few minutes to identify the different global scripts used in the composition.
Nearby context
Mirall is located in the heart of South Lake Union, a neighborhood known for innovation and innovation-driven companies like the Allen Institute. It is part of a broader public art program by Vulcan Real Estate, which has integrated art into the urban fabric of the urban neighborhood.
Sources
Evidence and links
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Seattle Public Art
Mirall, Jaume Plensa, 2015.
seattle.gov -
A Walking Tour of Public Art in South Lake Union
Jaume Plensa's “Mirall.”
theticket.seattletimes.com -
Art Meets Innovation in South Lake Union
One prominently placed example is Mirall, named for the Catalan word for mirror.
vulcanrealestate.com -
List of public art in Seattle
Seattle, Washington, has more than 400 permanent pieces of public artwork throughout the city,
en.wikipedia.org -
The Art Lover's Guide to Seattle
The gorgeous Mirall sculpture by Jaume Plensa sits outside the Paul Allen Brain Institute.
phillips.com