I mean, what can be said about this strange abandoned art installation that hasn't been said already. It's not a great area, there's currently a homeless encampment right behind it. It has a chain link fence surrounding it giving it a 'We haven't torn this down yet' vibe. Being from the Bay Area and having seen pieces created at The Crucible I personally would call it exceptionally lazy art - if you're generous with the word 'art'. It's a sign, with some pointed cylinders around it. In my opinion the painted pieces at Gas Works are more interesting. I personally think it's only a matter of time before they tear it out and make it into another park so all in all, it's an easy skip. read more

The Wall of Death - Public Art Near Me - Seattle, Washington

At one point, I'm sure The Wall of Death was a very cool public art installation in Seattle. It's a permanently sited installation located along the Burke-Gilman Trail under the University Bridge along NE 40th Street. It was designed and built by Mowry Baden and his son Colin in 1993. While the exhibit sounds ominous, it's neither a memorial or some gothic art piece. Instead, it's a tribute to the structure used to perform "the wall of death," a motorcycle and miniature automobile stunt. While it looks like it was initially quite amazing, The Wall of Death has largely fallen victim to time and graffiti and it's really that graffiti that negatively impacts the appeal of the exhibit. The exhibit includes the cylinder itself on the south side of the Burke-Gilman Trail, as well as a concrete ramp to the north of the trail, which includes a "series of stylized metal chairs mounted to the existing concrete bridge columns and serves as the stands from which the stunts were viewed. The exhibit was originally intended as interactive with skateboarders intended to use it. However, after several skateboarding accidents including one involving a head-on collision between a skateboarder and a cyclist the exhibit was adapted, by Baden himself, to include 25 concrete parking stops. At this point, the exhibit is somewhat fenced in and much more difficult to access. However, it remains one of the more intriguing public art exhibits in Seattle and is still free to see. It's listed in Atlas Obscura. The exhibit was also reportedly damaged on 11/15/20 when a homeless camp tent caught fire. The exhibit is made of concrete, steel, and aluminum and measures 16' x 65' x 30'. It's easy to access the exhibit from the Burke Gilman Trail in the University District. It's near University of Washington housing and only a few blocks from Lake Union. The trail itself is wheelchair friendly and accessible quite easily. read more

The Wall of Death - Seattle's public art display "The Wall of Death" - Public Art Near Me - Seattle, Washington

It's public art, behind a fence because people just can't behave themselves. Nice little attraction on the Burke-Gilman trail.

The Wall of Death is another tourist gem located on 40th, along the Burke Gilman Trail at the University District under the University Bridge. Here is the history and information on the Wall of Death: It was designed and built by Mowry Baden and his son, Colin, in 1993. The installation is a representation of the structure used to perform the motorcycle and miniature automobile stunt, the wall of death. It includes the cylinder itself on the south side of the Burke-Gilman Trail, as well as a concrete ramp to the north of the trail, which includes a "series of stylized metal chairs mounted to the existing concrete bridge columns" and serves as the stands from which the stunts were viewed. read more

The Wall of Death - Public Art Near Me - Seattle, Washington

While The Fremont Troll gets the bulk of the Seattle tourist "Ooooohs" and "Ahhhhs," the extremely odd Wall of Death under The University Bridge is equally as stunning, even more bizarre, and often left out of the guide books. A troll under a bridge, sure, that makes sense. But when it comes to art in Seattle, why stop at a troll when you can have a Wall of Death as well? Only in The Emerald City... The Wall of Death is a 20 foot tall orange metal ring with the words, "Wall of Death" chiseled from the metal. Large spikes rise from the concrete below holding up the ring and daring passers by to, well, I don't know, skate or die? And... that's about it. Check it out if you get the chance. It's pretty cool looking. After all, it isn't everyday you get to see a Wall of Death, now is it!? read more

The Wall of Death - The Wall of Death! - Public Art Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I lived about a five minute walk from this piece of "art" for a while. The area is covered in trash (it catches on the fence that surrounds it) and it is covered in graffiti. The title and the fact that it is under a bridge creep me out. read more

The Wall of Death - Wall of death - Public Art Near Me - Seattle, Washington

New to Seattle, or just love to find interesting things around the city, this is at least one place to check out. With its ominous name and massive spikes protruding from the ground, this is a photographers' wonderland for interesting selfies, Instagram classics, and fun photos all around. Another bonus? You are right on the water which can also make for some great views of the city. A few peppered green spaces around also provide a place to sit and enjoy the wonderful (or possibly gloomy) weather in Seattle. read more

I've been wanting to visit this place since FOREVER! I've had this place bookmarked since I first came across it. There is no parking by this art piece so it's truly for bicyclist and runners/joggers to enjoy. It really is a piece to stroll by and admire for a good couple of minutes & head on your way. I, myself love oddities so I was so happy to finally to see it in person :) If you have seen everything in Seattle and want to see something different & have a couple minutes to kill - I totally recommend checking this place out! read more

We've all been there before. Let's go see The Troll! Hey, tourists, wanna see a statue of Lenin? Are you interested in seeing a family of people waiting with their dog for the Interurban? Behold, the staples of Seattle 'Local Flavor.' But, I ask of you, are any of them The Wall of Death (not A wall of death, THE wall of death)? I walked by this a week ago with some friends while hanging heading to a bar in Northlake. Twelve large cement spikes jut out of the ground with a large orange circular metallic banner surrounding them that reads in big lettering "The Wall of Death." It's kind of cool! Oh, and no bums live here so it doesn't smell like The Troll does (all vomity and uriney). Mmm. Locally Flavorful! read more

If you're looking for meaning behind the Wall of Death, keep looking. It's a cool spot, under a bridge, with some words, and pointy spikes! I put it on my Fremont list for out of town visitors and granted, it doesn't have as much impact as The Fremont Troll but is still an interesting sight. I enjoy biking on the trail or walking by casually, pausing a bit to have a look, wonder, then move on. It is what it is. I'm okay with it. I prefer it to a mountain of dirt or concrete slab. read more

Ummmm... It's dark, and gloomy. A ring on spikes. I.... I just don't get it. There's nothing to be done with or for the Wall of Death. It just is. Don't understand it much, myself. I prefer art that invokes interaction. But it's certainly better than the nothing that was there before it. read more

What's with all the haterade, people? It's a heck of a lot more interesting than an unadorned underbridge. If I were a disaffected skater youth, this would be the !!awesomest!! place ever to do my little skateboardy tricks. Plus, it provides an interesting contrast to the nearby Peace Park. Conundrum: it claims it is A -- no, "The" Wall of Death, but contains neither an actual wall nor any death. Discuss. read more

Like others, I stumbled upon this late one night in college, rubbed my eyes, and wondered what, exactly, was in those brownies. It's one of those hallmarks of Old Seattle. Weird, inexplicable, and just wonderful. read more

The wall of death is right by peace park. I like peace, and I'm not a fan of death (at least not the red-orange spiky kind). I can appreciate that we live in a city which will allow such...unique...things in public places but I personally feel a bit icky every time I walk by. read more

The grandiose name sets you up for a huge letdown as you analyze the structure and its surroundings. Reminiscent of daredevil motorcycle tricks, this is a sad allusion to the exhilaration the audience would have experienced. I guess the concept of "The Wall of Death" is more interesting than the actual art installation. I led my husband hereby saying, "Let's walk to The Wall of Death!!!!"......"well, that's it". A banner that says "Wall of Death". It's a bit gross around there. It's under the University Bridge so it doesn't get any cleansing rain. The concrete is stale and stained with vomit, makeshift firepits, trash, etc. Plus, there's a dusty dirt dropoff behind it that leads to a fenced off construction storage area...or is it a trash site? Yuck. read more

There is no parking here! I parked in a private lot for the university. I took a quick troll to the wall of death, snapped a picture and went back to my car. I didn't want to risk getting my rental car towed. read more

Eh. This Local Flavor art project is just ok. The structure is made of pointed silver spires and what looks like an orange ribbon that says "Wall of Death". I did some light research on it to see if there was a story to it but I lost interest quickly. As far as I can tell there is no history or urban legend to go with the structure other than it is here for sheer randomness. I poked around the area to gain some info on it too but found nothing. It is under a bridge under a significant bike trail for the city of Seattle so it may just be a place to hang out when out and about for the day. I made quite the hike to get here from my car and wound up enjoying the walk more than the destination. I wouldn't necessarily go out of my way if you are a tourist in Seattle to come here. There are far more quirky and intriguing things to see in Seattle but if you are out to find off the beaten tracks things then this would be one. I found this site under a list of weird attractions in Seattle...it's not THAT weird, just random. read more

Purely came here for a photo op. Saw it as we drove under the bridge and wondered what is was. We looked it up and decided to come back later. Parking somewhere to then walk here was difficult. Seattle has fun things under their bridges. Every place should do this. read more

Yea. It's more interesting than nothing being there. But it's pretty freaking stupid. And ugly. Was there really no better artist available? No better idea? No better color scheme imaginable? Don't bother to see it in person if you haven't already; the photo on this page shows it in all its blandness. The Wall of Death is yet another example of art that tries to be "edgy" (or . . . spiky?) and forgets to be visually interesting. Bulldoze this ish. Or deface it. Someone. read more

I'm not really sure why this place is called The Wall of Death. I run by it quite a bit while on the Burke. It's something interesting to look at but I wish I knew more... I hope there's no death here! read more

I don't "get" why everyone is trying to UNDERSTAND what the Wall Of Death "means". It just IS. It's a memorial in and of itself. Think about it. If you really feel agitated by it so much, then it has done its job. Leave it be! read more

5 stars purely for the novelty of reading negative reviews about art hiding under a bridge. "It doesn't provoke any thoughts" and yet all of you went out of your way to write a review? read more

it was cool and weird at the same time. we were just driving around and all the sudden a huge banner flashed in front of me.."the wall of the death"... read more