Seijaku

As our collection grew, we spent a lot of time seeking out Oregon-based artists whose work moved us. One name kept coming up: Julian Voss-Andreae. His work, utilizing thin sheets of stainless steel, is instantly recognizable.

I drove to Portland to visit his studio several years ago. The work was even more amazing in person. We went to Palm Springs to see one of his pieces in the wild. Finally, we invited Julian and his wife to visit the property. It’s important to us that the artists who create work for this site feel a connection to it. They are an integral part of what we’re trying to build and we want them to experience it in person. We agreed to start working on a unique commission that was motivated by a sense of place. The work needed to be in conversation with the surrounding environment.

Julian totally grasped the spirit of the land and what he came up with exceeded our wildest expectations. As we saw Julian’s design coming together, we knew that the siting needed to be special. We created a six-foot pedestal to elevate and exalt the work. Michelle, our friend Jim, and I built it ourselves over the course of a few weeks. Over two tons of concrete were involved.

One unique feature of this project was that Julian left the naming to us. The problem is that words are limiting. We had trouble finding a name in English that captured the essence of the feeling you get standing in front of the work. We consulted our friend from Japan, thinking that perhaps the poeticism of the Japanese language might be the answer.

Seijaku (静寂) is a Japanese word that means "silence," "stillness," or "tranquility.” But, the word carries a deeper philosophical and aesthetic meaning in Japanese culture. It implies a moment of profound serenity where everything feels balanced and alive in its quietness. The kind of contemplative silence you might experience in a temple, a quiet forest, or during meditation.

Good things come to those who wait. Years after that first visit to Julian’s studio, Seijaku was sited on the property in September 2025.