Jet Kiss is a 2015 sculpture by American artist Mike Ross, installed at the Capitol Hill light rail

station in Seattle, Washington. The 90-foot-long (27 m) sculpture consists of two decommissioned A4 Skyhawk fighter jets that were sliced and arranged nose-to-nose; the piece is suspended above
the station's platform level.
Jet Kiss was commissioned by Sound Transit as part of theirpublic art program in 2008, during
planning and final design of the station. The initial concept was met with a mixed reception from the
public over its use of warplanes, resulting in design modifications. It was installed in early 2015, and
the station was opened to the public on March 19, 2016.
Contents
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1Description

2History and public reaction

3Critical response

4See also

5References

6External links

Mike Ross's Jet Kiss is suspended above the platform of Capitol Hill station, a light
rail station in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood.[1] The piece consists of two
decommissioned United States Navy A-4 Skyhawk fighter jets, which were disassembled
and painted magenta and yellow.[1] The military markings are preserved with a layer of
translucent paint. Both jets are arranged nose-to-nose and span 90 feet (27 m) along the
platform, fitting between struts that form the station's walls.[1][2]
Ross said he wanted the piece to exude organic forms, drawn from the city and its
surroundings. The choice of magenta and yellow paint for the jets was a move to offset the
city's stereotypical overcast skies. The choice of jets was a reference to the city's aviation
history; its use of a non-aggressive and bird-like arrangement (itself a reference to the city
bird, the Blue heron) was a counter to the inherent aggressiveness of jets as a symbol. [3][4][5]
The piece was given a budget of $440,000 by Sound Transit's public art program.[6] Jet
Kiss is joined by two muralsfrom local cartoonist Ellen Forney at two of the three entrances
to the station; Forney stated that she designed one of her pieces, "Crossed Pinkies", as a
response to Jet Kiss.[7]