Crooks works on commissioned art at WWU

Marguerite Crooks is among the photography students of Western Washington University’s Department of Art commissioned to create a permanent installation entitled “Edifice Complex.”

Marguerite Crooks is among the photography students of Western Washington University’s Department of Art commissioned to create a permanent installation entitled “Edifice Complex.”

The project turned 17 cameras on 1 million-square-feet of retail space to explore the relationship between fine art and commercial photography. The intention was to commemorate the history and architecture of the Macy’s store on Third Avenue in downtown Seattle.

Crooks is a 2004 graduate from South Whidbey High School who will be graduating this June.

Other featured students in “Edifice Complex” include Jonathan Bishop (Stanwood), Marybeth Coghill (West Seattle), Mikel Cumiskey (New Smyrna Beach, Fla.), Andrew Figgs (Oak Harbor), Aiden Forrest (Arlington), Heidi Killings (Colville), Katie Johnson (Portland, Ore.), Hailey MacKay (Seattle), Dana Ollestad (Santa Ana, Calif.), Kei Omotaka (Kyoto, Japan), Allie Paul (Lynnwood), Forrest Perrine (Port Orchard), Justin Riehl (Issaquah), Drew Trusler (Redmond), Kelli Waugh (Federal Way) and Anna Zuck (White Salmon).

Working with Pierre Gour, visual manager for Macy’s, the students in the university’s Art 390 photography course used the historic landmark as a starting point to create 34 large-format black-and-white photographs highlighting the store’s facade, its interior spaces and its historic charm. Macy’s also provided all of the materials for the project.

The exhibit is currently on view in the corner bank of windows at the intersection of Third Avenue and Stewart Street, and will permanently be installed at a later date.