Comments on: BART Art: Sea Legs

By: Joseph Camajani

Joseph Camajani — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 15:57:37 +0000

I always look at this filthy, shaggy monstrosity and wonder whether it has a practical function, like as a flood barrier that gets lowered into the BART tracks if the bay were to ever find its way into the trans-bay tube… now that I’ve discovered that this is not its purpose, a) I hope there’s some other emergency flood barrier in place, and b) this nasty thing has gotta go… no disrespect to its creator; I’m sure there was a time when it was an attractive addition to Embarcadero Station, but all good things come to an end, and I agree that it must soon become a health issue for passengers… maybe this spacious wall of the station can be adorned with something new, bright and beautiful… a mural or mosaic? Something more cheery for people like me, drudging to work up the escalator each morning… and something requiring less maintenance??

By: A. Hondrogen

A. Hondrogen — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 01:13:17 +0000

In the early 1970′s Barbara Shawcroft was my textile/sculpture teacher at B.U. She was a wonderful teacher — inspiring, daring and respected in her field and by her students and peers. She had installations in Japan and throughout Europe, including the Lausanne Biennale. It is a shame that this piece has not been cared for.

By: Basel

Basel — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 00:45:15 +0000

Take a look at the opposite end of the station.

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:52:02 +0000

I’ve seen the top few feet twice a day for the past year, but never gave it much thought or realized it actually extended all the way down to the BART platform. Today I used the back set of stairs and happened to look over to see what it was. At first I thought it was a relic, maybe a huge chunk of rope that was somehow used in the original Bay Bridge construction…or maybe to moor Noah’s ark. Now I see it’s a work of art. Either way it’s still creeping me out. Seems like an odd location for such a piece – maybe in a larger, more open and well-lit place it would look good. As is it’s kind of a spooky leviathan lurking in the depths.

By: melanie

melanie — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 08:01:56 +0000

i’ve spent a lot of time looking at “legs” while waiting for trains, and it is truly, truly filthy. i’d be curious to know their long-term plans for it since the cleaning didn’t work out. it never crossed my mind that it might be a big rat nest, but that makes perfect sense. are they just going to let it get so disgusting that it becomes a public health hazard, or what?

By: Basel

Basel — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 01:33:01 +0000

IIRC, the rope sculpture was cleaned *once.* The accumulated grime, including dust, rail and brake particles made it a difficult effort. In fact, like a pair of jeans, it shrunk. The cleaning was halted for fear of further damage. It’s also a haven for the station rats.