350-Foot Earthwork At Sea-Tac Will Highlight Human Trafficking

SEATAC, WA — A new 350-foot long earthwork sculpture will debut soon at Sea-Tac Airport symbolizing how borders create vulnerable populations.

Molly Gochman's "Red Sand Project: Border US-MX" sculpture will depict the U.S.-Mexico border as a line drawn with red sand on a grassy hill at the airport. The work will be visible from planes passing above, from light rail trains, and from nearby parking garages.

The earthwork coincides with the Seattle Art Fair, and with recent efforts by the Port of Seattle and Delta Airlines to raise awareness about human trafficking.

The sculpture "replicates the US-Mexico as a symbol of the borders and boundaries that are drawn between people and communities — and the existence of which supports the creation of vulnerable populations. The installation is envisioned as a platform for spurring dialogue on equity, immigration, human trafficking, and support for trafficking survivors," a press release about the installation says.

There will be a public ceremony to unveil the work featuring speakers from the Northwest Immigrants Rights Project, Sea-Tac public art manager Tommy Gregory, and Gochman. The event begins at 11 a.m. on Aug. 3 with parking available at the cell phone lot, 2623 South 170th St.

You can see images of the earthwork installed at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston on the Red Sand Project website.