Months after completion Jakob Two Trees continues to draw excitement and loads of traffic, because of social media posts like this, to downtown Issaquah, Washington.
As one of Jakob’s closest neighbors, I have watched as he was constructed by dozens of volunteers in August and early September. Artists broke apart wooden pallets and reclaimed wood as they climbed the scaffolds, often barefoot, to piece by piece our Jakob together. Photographers and local news stations always stood by to capture a shot or do an interview with the designers.
I take a walk down the paved Rainier Trail path at least once a day and the traffic is still strong! On the weekends there are lines of people waiting to take pictures. I think what is the most special is the sheer DELIGHT on people’s faces when they see Jakob for the first time. I love to go see that emotion, a giant smile light ups their faces and some people even scream with delight! It’s so special. It brings me joy just watching them.
Who is Jakob Two Trees?
Jakob is from the creative genius of Thomas Dambo a Danish environmental artist who has built many trolls throughout the United States in a project themed Northwest Trolls, Way of the Bird King. The trolls were inspired by Dambo’s heritage of mythical folklore. Each of Dambo’s trolls is part of an environmental story and they are the most incredible pieces of art.
Check out all of the Trolls in the series Way of the Bird King. https://thomasdambo.com/works/wayofthebirdking/ We have a challenge planned this summer to go find them all! The ones that are closest to us here in Issaquah are;
- OLE-BOLLE in Portland, Oregon
- PIA THE PEACE KEEPER in Bainbridge Island, Seattle, WA
- BRUUN IDUN in Lincoln Park, Seattle, WA
- FRANKIE FEETSPLINTER, National Nordic Museum, Ballard, Washington
- OSCAR THE BIRD KING in Vashon Island, WA
A thousand circle suns, not old
Time will stretch and loop and fold
So stop, breathe out, breathe in, behold
The trees have sung a story told
Where is Jakob?
The best way to find Jakob is to park at the Issaquah Community Center and start walking down the paved Rainer Trail. You will come upon a dog park and will see markers with colorful bird houses piled on top. The bird houses are the sign your headed in the right direction and you will see why when you see Jakob.
How long will Jakob be around?
According to the Issaquah.gov website, https://www.issaquahwa.gov/3426/Jakob-Two-Trees-Issaquahs-Troll because Jakob is made of recycled materials, his presence is subject to the weathering of the materials and he is a temporary installation. Issaquah Parks will maintain Jakob as long as they can in consultation with the artist. So…. see him while you can!
Issaquah Adventures 