Public art brings out the animal in Kirkland

Originally published Saturday, February 5, 2000

By RACHEL LARRIS
SPECIAL TO THE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

In Kirkland, when most people say, "Meet me by the cow," they're not talking about a big brown animal that leaves cow patties.

Since 1995, "Cow and the Coyote" has graced the entrance to the Foster White Gallery at 129 Central Way. The sculpture made the transition to Kirkland from rowdy Pioneer Square, where it resided for a few years.

It clearly hasn't lost its sense of fun; this is one regular Eastside party animal.

"The cow has become Kirkland's version of Fremont's "Waiting for the Interurban," said Mary Briggs, director of the Foster White Gallery, referring to Seattle's most famous piece of interactive art.

Patricia Rovzar, owner of another nearby art gallery, recalls some antics inspired by the sculpture. "People decorate it all the time," she said. "I remember once the coyote had a tutu on. It was really funny; it just stuck out. During Halloween, it had a witch's hat and cobwebs draped over it."

A well-loved landmark, the cow's bronze nose and ears have been rubbed shiny by people, a fact that artist Brad Rude doesn't mind in the least. Interaction was exactly what he intended when he set out to make "Cow and the Coyote."

"When I created the piece," Rude said, "I started thinking about various dialogues between humans and animals. A cow is generally passive and domestic. A coyote is wild and sometimes chases it. In the piece, they're going in opposite directions, but still cooperating with each other."

The cow is an example of public and private cooperation. It's on loan from Bill Ballentine, who has been bringing private art to Kirkland for 15 years.

"I started the public-art program with three statues. There are now 12 or 13 pieces," Ballentine said. "As long as Kirkland allows me to use it as my palette, I will continue lending my art."

Check out some of Kirkland's other public art in nearby Peterkirk Park.