I know death hath ten thousand several doors
For men to take their exit.
John Webster
"Mr. Fajans, 58, a nationally respected painter known for meticulous detail and realistic style who also painted a mural prominently displayed at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, died Monday morning after an accident on the Alaskan Way Viaduct, according to Seattle police.
Seattle police spokesman Rich Pruitt said Mr. Fajans apparently lost control of his motorcycle as he merged from the Columbia Street onramp. He fell off his bike and was hit by a car, Pruitt said."
Seattle Times online
Politics: (used with a sing. verb) The art or science of government or governing, especially the governing of a political entity, such as a nation, and the administration and control of its internal and external affairs.
Art: (n.) The conscious production or arrangement of sounds, colors, forms, movements, or other elements in a manner that affects the sense of beauty...the product of these activities; human works of beauty considered as a group.
Public art and murals in public buildings have been one of my delights for most of my adult life. Architectural art on courthouses, murals and dioramas depicting history, portraits of politicians from long ago (I have George Washington hanging in my kitchen) - all of these are special fancies of mine.
The intersection of art and politics? Compelling indeed.
Mural painting is an art that is not practiced much anymore on a grand scale. There are some great examples in the Northwest, many designed and executed by WPA artist collectives in the 1930's. Among my favorites are the Depression era murals in the Oregon State Capitol rotunda - especially portrayals of Dr. John McLoughlin and images of the first wagon train migration in 1843.
I bring these sentiments up because one of my most recent joys was viewing the interconnected murals installed on three separate floors of the lobby of the new Seattle Federal Courthouse in downtown Seattle.
"Three Sets of Twelve" by Michael Fajans, is composed of three different perspectives of a jury of twelve. In the artist's words from his website, "the work explores the nature of the jury system by depicting twelve people in their everyday work life and as jurors in a courtroom context."
I'm no art critic, but I'll lamely admit I know what I like. I love these murals by Fajans - they have a kind of modern Norman Rockwell-esque quality - and I would hope that Mr. Fajans would have understood how I'm left without words to truly describe how these murals impact and enhance the courthouse. He has upheld a fine tradition in creating a view of us, as we contract with our community to carry out a portion of the responsibilities of all citizens in a just society - that of acting as a juror on a jury of our peers.
A nicely descriptive essay written by Eric Dahl and with some wonderful images of individuals in the mural is linked here (in pdf format): Michael Fajans at the New Federal Courthouse in Seattle
Michael Fajans died on Monday on the Alaskan Way viaduct, a dinosaur of an elevated highway, both loved and hated in this city of Seattle. The viaduct runs along the length of the waterfront of Seattle, slicing in front of dozens of old brick buildings and modern industrial boxes alike. It is arguably one of the most dangerous roads in Seattle because of the risky and short distance exits and entrances that are the only way to access it from downtown Seattle. It is also one of the most scenic drives in a city full of extraordinary views.
Please take a few moments to view the images of his art on his website and read a bit about the artist. I didn't know Mr. Fajans personally, though I know a few of the folks who were models for his mural. I extend my sympathies to his friends and family and am saddened by the loss of one of Seattle's creative citizens.
For other examples of public mural art across the country, there are some good resources through the GSA'a Fine Arts Collection website - view by artist, state, and keyword search.