Few People Know The Iconic Hammering Man Statue In Washington Was Actually Created In Connecticut
Visit Seattle, Washington and one thing will be abundantly clear: Downtown Seattle is rich with art and culture, prominently displayed in landmark buildings, statues, and sculptures throughout the city. Probably the most well-known landmark in Seattle is the Space Needle, a futuristic observation tower and restaurant designed and built for the 1962 World’s Fair. But did you know another one of Seattle’s most iconic landmarks was not even built in Washington?
Seattle’s iconic Hammering Man makes its home on the sidewalk just outside the Seattle Art Museum.
Hammering Man is the creation of artist, Jonathan Borofsky, and is part of a series of kinetic sculptures celebrating the worker. Though Hammering Man has stood proud in front of SAM for more than three decades, the 22,000-pound steel structure was actually produced in Connecticut.
Hammering Man stands on the corner of 1st Avenue and University Street in Seattle.
This two-dimensional, painted steel silhouette stands 48 feet tall, and has a mechanized aluminum arm that gently hammers four times per minute, 20 hours a day.
The Hammering Man celebrates the accomplishments of all working classes.
The non-descript features of Hammering Man are intentional. Jonathan Boroksky designed the Hammering Man series with an anonymous silhouette, honoring women and men of the working class all over the world.
Hammering Man was installed (and subsequently removed) on September 28, 1991.
Installing a monument as large as Hammering Man wasn’t an easy task. During installation, a lift strap snapped, and the structure fell about a foot. This may not sound like much, but the resulting damage was significant enough that Borofsky’s magnificent sculpture had to be sent back to North Haven, Connecticut for repairs. Hammering Man was re-installed a year later, where it remains to this day.
Borofsky designed a series of Hammering Man sculptures to be displayed throughout the world.
Towering at over 68 feet, Frankfurt Germany is the home of this massive Hammering Man sculpture, but believe it or not, it’s not the tallest Hammering Man. That title belongs to the 72-foot Hammering Man Sculpture in Seoul, Korea.
The Hammering Man silently hammers (almost) around the clock.
During the early morning hours between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m., Seattle’s Hammering Man takes a well-deserved break. The sculpture also enjoys a full day’s rest on Labor Day each year.
Though Seattle’s Hammering Man got its start in Connecticut, it is one of Washington’s most iconic and important monuments. Proudly representing working-class laborers for more than 30 years, the Hammering Man is a symbol of pride and accomplishment. Check out Hammering Man outside the Seattle Art Museum and you will be in awe of its towering height and poignant message.
Have you taken a photo in front of Hammering Man in Seattle, Washington? Is it taller than you imagined? We’d love to hear about your experience in the comments.
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Address: Seattle Art Museum, 1300 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
Sherri Adams is a writer, photographer, and travel enthusiast from the Pacific Northwest. She has always been passionate about writing and the opportunities for connection through the written word. When she’s not writing, you can often find her at the seashore with her toes in the sand and her nose in a book.
