There's something surreal about Seattle. Maybe it's the impossible forecasts (cloudy with a chance of rain and sun), the odd cloud formations that look like they belong in a Savlador Dali painting, or the juxtaposition of nauture meets metropolis (think about the way Mt. Rainier appears like an apparition alongside the skyline on clear days).
At first, I suspected that this peculiar feeling was just a result of being new in town. But then I realized it probably isn't a coincidence that David Lynch - known for his "expect the unexpected" style of filmmaking - set his eerie TV drama Twin Peaks around Seattle.
It also doesn't seem like a coincidence that Seattle is home to a variety of sites and shops that challenge our traditional ideas of aesthetics - a fact pointed out to me by my dear friend and creator/curator of the blog Phantasmaphile. Here are a few spots:
- Roq La Rue Gallery - Seattle's premier gallery for pop surrealism and underground contemporary art.
- Steve's Weird House - One man's wonderously weird collection in his home turned private museum.
- Fantagraphics Books - A publisher, bookstore and gallery featuring underground comic books, graphic novels, and artists.
- Ye Olde Curiosity Shop - While it's become rather touristy, it still feels a bit like a giant cabinet of curiosities...
- Twin Peaks Fest - Fans gather to celebrate the TV show and its creator with events in and around Seattle.
- BLVD Gallery - A gallery featuring work where urban street aesthetics meet art.
Until next time, keep Washington weird!
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