Iconic Convos: The Wall of Death

Nicole Bearden (NB): If you end up in the U District, on the Burke-Gilman Trail, you might run across our next guest, one of Seattle’s oddest icons: The Wall of Death. I appreciate you taking time to speak with us today. I must say, your appearance is pretty intimidating, Wall, not to mention your name. What has your experience on the Burke-Gilman been like?

Wall of Death (WoD): The early days were exciting, sure, but now I’m surrounded by fences, and no one skates or bikes on me anymore. People complained about me being “dangerous”, and a couple of people had an accident, so they came in and shut me down. So now, I just stay here, under this bridge all day, all night. I watch the world go by, and not many people stop to visit anymore.

NB: I’m sorry to hear that. It sounds like you are feeling lonely.

WoD: Not really. I’m bored. I mean, I’m The Wall of DEATH. I’m supposed to have an exciting existence, living on the edge, not abandoned under a bridge, covered in bird excrement.

NB: I can imagine how that would be a disappointment. How did you get your name?

WoD: Walls of Death—some people call them velodromes or motordromes—have been around since the early 20th century. Carnies and stunt riders would use centrifugal force to do tricks and ride around and around an enormous barrel, while being perpendicular to the ground, or even upside down. It was a thrill for people to watch. And a huge shot of adrenaline for daredevils.    

NB: Hmm. But here you are, under a bridge, alongside Portage Bay. No stunt shows or carnivals to speak of. How did you end up here?

WoD: My creators were a father-son team, Mowry and Colin Baden, in the 1990s, who got an art grant to make a public art project. I don’t know why they decided to create me, but I do know that my original purpose was to be a space of performance for everyday people, skaters and cyclists, an intervention of art along the trail.

NB: Considering that many people use the trail to commute to work, or for exercise, that sounds like a fascinating proposition.

WoD: It was a great time for a while, then, like I said, people got mad, and they took it out on me.  

The Wall of Death in 2008

Eric Frommer

NB: Yes. What are some of your coping mechanisms?

WoD: Well, I had a bit of an identity crisis for a while. Who am I, if I’m not this space of artistic intervention, you know?

NB: Sure.

WoD: But then, I had an epiphany.

NB: Oh? Do tell.

WoD: Well, if I can’t be a space for performance, The Wall of Death-defying stunts, why don’t I just lean into the Death part?

NB: [perplexed] …Okay?

WoD: So I started doing seances.

NB: Wow. That was truly NOT where I thought you were going with this.

WoD: I’m full of surprises.

NB: Apparently. So, explain. How do you do these seances, and what happens?

WoD: It’s interesting being in a sort of wind tunnel. The bright side is that all kinds of debris blows over and lands on me. I use that debris, and my psychic energy to send out a beacon to spirits. And they come. I’ve had dozens of spirits visit me over the years. Sometimes they come back more than once. So I do have friends.

NB: That’s good to hear. These spirit friends, anyone we might have heard of?

WoD: Some of them are just people who used the trail every day. I can recognize their essence, and calling to them is easy, even without knowing their names. A lot of joggers and cyclists. Others are some of our city’s better-known residents, like the MV Kalakala.

NB: The old ferry?!

WoD: Sure! She wasn’t the only one. I’ve also chatted with Frances Farmer—man did that woman have a rough time, luckily she is doing much better now—Ivar Haglund, Gypsy Rose Lee, The Kingdome, Mary McCarthy, you name them, I’ve probably chatted with them. It breaks up the monotony.

NB: That is an impressive list, I’m envious of the scintillating conversations you must have had. I’m glad to know that, despite not having a whirlwind life anymore, you do still lead an exciting existence. Unfortunately, we are out of time, but any last words for our readers?

WoD: All of us have multiple purposes in life, not just one; we just have to decide what that is, and lean into it.

NB: Inspiring words. The Wall of Death can be found along the Burke-Gilman Trail, under the University Bridge.