The installation is located near a Sound Transit stop, where most pedestrians are focused solely on reaching their destination. “Lock-On Tacoma” turns up the visual volume, inviting passersby to pause in their busy days, examine the locks left there by others, and add their own love locks, thus expanding the piece in the most personal of ways.

Enlarged steel padlock and skeleton key sculptures, painted in auto enamel, encircle the top portion of the rail support. Hansen worked with youth from Hilltop Artists to cast glass ornaments she incorporated into the locks. Hansen wrapped the columns in metal mesh to create a screen where visitors can attach their own love locks. The project required full ADA accessibility. Diane chose to seek inclusion of all audiences by not only making it accessible, but by creating a piece that inspired conversation for all types of visitors.

Diane’s inspiration for this work came from two places: the Paris ‘Love Locks’ movement and the natural affinity Tacomans have for their city. The goal was to create an art installation as a destination—one that begs city dwellers and visitors to seek out the location and interact with it. “I wanted to create more than a sculpture,” explains Diane. “I wanted to create an experience that caused people to get off the train and explore the Dome District and Tacoma.