I thought long and hard about this review. On on hand, I think the plaque is a little misleading. They mention flames and firearms surrounding Lenin and I can only see flames. Very disappointing. I'm still giving the statue 5 stars because I think it perfectly encapsulates the oddness that is Freemont. I can't think of too many places that would have a statue of such a controversial figure and be able to place in actual historical context. read more

Why, Seattle? [Seattle WA] The walkable Fremont neighborhood of Seattle has many artworks in easily visible outdoor settings including this statue of Vladimir Lenin located just west of Fremont Avenue. His larger-than-life statue looks over N 36th Street... can't miss it (intersection of Fremont Place North and Evanston Avenue North) Not sure if there was one but I did not see a bronze marker with a description about the statue. I did see an interpretive sign that explained about a man named Lewis Carpenter who wanted to preserve the statue (toppled during the 1989 revolution) and brought it back to his home in Issaquah... I suppose that's how it made it to a Seattle neighborhood. The statue is privately owned. The statue had some graffiti written on it and, also, a thick coating of bright red paint covered his open hand. Also, he hasn't stopped celebrating Halloween as he still has a pumpkin over his head ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Review #3621 read more

Vladimir Lenin - 11.30.24 A rare and controversial bronze sculpture of Vladimir Lenin - Public Art Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Sort of an oddity, yet a landmark in the Fremont area. The Lenin Statue has an interesting history. The statue is of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, a Russian revolutionary infamous for causing much strife in the then Soviet Union. The Lenin Statue is subject to being made into a canvass for events around the year in the city as well just plain old vandalism, it isn't surprising seeing as it isn't someone to be readily idolized. The statue was made in the late 80's by a Slovakian sculptor by the name of Emil Venkov as part of a competition. Lenin was likely a figurehead at the time, so he was the subject. The statue was toppled soon after and was purchased by an Entrepeneur. A few years later, and about $30,000 shorter the statue was in Seattle. The statue changed hands at the untimely death of that Entrepeneur and went to the hands of the Fremont Chamber, ideally until a buyer was interested. (It's a headscratcher as to who would by that personally.) The property the Lenin Statue is on is privately owned and therefore it's private property. Hard to miss traversing through the main streets of Fremont the plaque near the statue reads "to serve as a reminder of an important historical period." These words presently and will continue to be very true. read more

Vladimir Lenin - Lenin. Why not Lennon? - Public Art Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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I was very intrigued by this statue in Fremont. It is right next to a Russian dumpling restaurant, which is fitting. I enjoyed reading the story on the plaque about the history of how this statue was brought from Slovakia to the US. It says that he is surrounded by guns and flames. I didn't see guns, and I assume the folds behind him are flames, but they don't really look like flames. The googly eyes someone put on him are a nice touch. read more

Vladimir Lenin - Lenin Statue - Public Art Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Fremont has a bunch of photo ops in one district: the Fremont Troll, a giant rocket, a Center of the Universe sign, huge ivy dinosaurs, and this: a statue of Lenin, which is great because, despite all the bad things people say about him, he's still my favorite Beatle! read more

A really well kept Soviet-era statue with an interesting backstory. Was surprised at the condition this was in even though some vandals spraypainted it & dipped the hands in red paint. This statue really captures the eccentric spirit of Fremont and Seattle quite well. 5/5. Worth a detour. Check out some of the local bars & restaurants nearby afterward. read more

Vladimir Lenin - Public Art Near Me - Seattle, Washington

V.I. Lennon over shadows Fremont like the hammer & sickle of mother Russia. This statue is left over from the COLD WAR and a grim reminder how oppressive human beings can be. The residents of Fremont celebrate this ruthless dictator, murderer & tyrant by placing him in the center of town... I often walk by and wonder in how a society like ours allows this to take place. But then I look at city hall & mayors office and all my questions are answered. So we celebrate the giant Herman Munster sized statue and praise all the wonderful things he did for the world. read more

Vladimir Lenin - Red hand of Communism can't hold a TIKI down! - Public Art Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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My fellow comrades... This is your fearless leader (see my stoic photo). The mental fatigue leading a revolution, starting a new plutocracy...I mean a new people's government, and fighting a civil war has forced me to remain in this immoral din of capitalist excess the imperialist Americans call Seattle. You will forgive me for taking an extended rest considering the wounds I have suffered at the hands of the Romanov sympathizers. Doughnuts at the Daily Dozen are no substitute for the bullets I was willing to take in my neck to preserve your liberation. Alas, things are not so bad for me here, my comrades. Yes, it rains here worse than Siberia in summer, but I get free Lenny scoops of risotto gelato at Royal Grinders. It's much better than my mama's borscht. I also bought Google stock at 20. I'm set for life. It was very nice of an American capitalist pig named Lewis Carpenter to handle my transportation here from Slovakia to the Artist's Republic of Fremont. Just coach but whatever. Remind me to get him an Order of the Red Star and a full honors ceremony when I return to my beloved Soviet Union which I know will never change despite this glasnost silliness. Until later, my beloved comrades, Vladdy P.S. - If you come visit, we can play air guitar at Experience Music Project. Better than firing squad. read more

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One star. Just one. One. So much metal that can be put to a good use. 7 tonof bronze.

Damn, Fremont gets even more exciting with the Vladimir Lenin statue. It's quite interesting that a man who has killed so many people gets a statue in one of the most hipster parts of the Emerald City. Even cooler is that the Fremont area is known to have a lot of ties to Communist Russia. My friends and I came across this statue while traveling around Seattle and got our pictures. The statue was in great condition when we arrived, and it seemed like it fit perfectly in the neighborhood. If you are in the Fremont area, take a look around and grab a picture. Show your friends how interesting the city is. Have fun and prosper, read more

Vladimir Lenin - Public Art Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Weighing over 7 tons, the sculpture took ten years to complete and was installed in Poprad, Slovakia in 1988. It is unique. We believe it is the only representation portraying Lenin surrounded by guns and flames instead of holding a book or waving his hat. The sculpture, while fulfilling the requirements of his state commission, was nevertheless able to express his vision of Lenin as a violent revolutionary; not just an intellectual and theoretician. First, it's a very classic piece of Soviet art. This is not a mass produced cookie cutter grade Lenin. It was made by a well known sculpture and brought from Eastern Europe, so it's legit piece of Soviet history. If you are in Fremont, it might as well be worth getting a selfie with Lenin in the background. Something you will not see everyday. Still, one of the best photo op around. Interesting history with it too. read more

Vladimir Lenin - Statue of Vladimir Linen - Public Art Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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If you're not from Seattle, this might seem to be my strangest review. And, it probably is! In the Fremont section of Seattle, just north of the city near Ballard, the locals have acquired a genuine artifact of the Cold War era. They have erected a statue of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin the former head of the Soviet Union. Yep, that guy. I know others might disagree, but I've always found this statue to be fun and perfect for Seattle. It explains so much of the local culture, and independent mindset of the town. Even though the large Scandinavian stone Troll under a nearby bridge might be easier to explain to out of town friends. Hell! Just relax, take a deep breath and go to nearby Taco Del Mar. Enjoy the food and the history outside their front door! There is a interesting story behind the statue which is worth reading on that bastion of factual truth, Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statue_of_Lenin,_Seattle So, take a deep breath and enjoy! It's really cool. Trust me. read more

Lenin is basically the Russian equivalent of Hitler. I'm not sure why on earth the Microsoft guy felt it was necessary to tote this giant statue all the way back home to Seattle. Or how he managed to do so. From an artistic perspective, it's a gigantic bronze statue with the iconic red hand. It's placed at a Y-intersection in front of a group of stores. The figure looks like he's about to continue stoically marching off to something important. It creates a bit of an ominous mood. But this intersection and part of town is not an art museum, or even a history museum. I have no idea why it was put here to begin with, or why it still remains. It's worth a drive-by to see it in person, but I don't think it really needs to even be here. read more

Hey Lenin. How you doing guarding the gelato place? I'm not sure if anyone will fork over a couple hundred grand for a giant Lenin statue, but I support their labors to try. Three stars for all kinds of irony. Oh noes! I have been played by PR campaigns and urban legends! Adjusted from three to five stars for pwning me. read more

Vladimir Lenin - Public Art Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I am a Fremonster at heart even though I don't live or work there. I frequent the neighborhood for a variety of reasons and always find it a fascinating place to hang out. I walk by Lenin often and have always been struck by the size and overall impression the statue gives. I also enjoy seeing if Lenin has been decorated in anyway. I'm not sure who does it but can appreciate the creativity and effect. For instance, I was there last week at night and he had a large star and lights on his head and neck. It's a little piece of character that makes Fremont special. read more

Vladimir Lenin - Public Art Near Me - Seattle, Washington

The Lenin statue in Fremont has always baffled me.... Why does Fremont have a statue of a former Russian leader? There is a sign which offers some information.... But doesn't completely resolve the perplexing existence of this statue. Helpful landmark in any case. read more

Vladimir Lenin - Merry Christmas to you too Me. Lenin - Public Art Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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This is actually a pretty cool statue. It's huge, and is a great addition to Fremont! Seattle!! Another bonus, a free thing to do in Seattle! And, there are also other things you can do while you're visiting the statue, like visit the Troll, the center of the universe sign, or the chocolate place nearby. Lucky for Bong and I, we had a car so getting here was easy. And finding parking was easy. Plus it was near to where we were staying. I would bring people back here if I had to be a Seattle Tour Guide. read more

Vladimir Lenin - Public Art Near Me - Seattle, Washington

How awesome that Lenin is chillin' in Seattle these days. So the story goes, the short version, that someone was visiting an Eastern European country and saw this statue face down in the mud. Instead of taking a picture and moving on, he mortgages his home and pays to transport this beauty to the states. Expecting to have it in an exhibit, it somehow finds its way on the sidewalk. That's what my husband said anyway. He read the plaque. read more

Vladimir Lenin - Public Art Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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A sculpture that should be seen at least once... I mean, it's a big ass statue of Vladimir Lenin that overlooks the neighbourhood. It was discovered in a scrapyard in Slovakia by Lewis E. Carpenter, of Issaquah. Eventually brought to Seattle in the 90s, it was dissected into three sections and shipped to Washington. During key holidays, Lenin has been decorated with festive holidays lights, a massive light-up star and during Pride Week, he was made fabulous with a little drag. If you're showing off Seattle to visitors, this is something that should be on the list! read more

Vladimir Lenin - Lenin from the side. - Public Art Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Cool story about this statue. It's a popular statue because it was shipped here. You can touch the status but it's hard to climb - yes I tried. But no one is going to tell you to get off the statue :D It's a cool photo op photo. read more

Vladimir Lenin - Public Art Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This is great landmark to get your picture taken in downtown Fremont. Its a little hard to climb on the statue but its possible, for those who are not athletic might need some help of friends. There is a 7-ton statue of Vladimir Lenin in Seattle. It's 16-feet tall, made of bronze and has resided in the city's eclectic and very free-spirited Fremont neighborhood since 1995. It was created in Slovakia by artist Emil Venkov between 1978 and 1988, when it was installed in the city of Poprad, not far from the Polish border. A year later, as the Soviet Union broke apart, the statue was taken down. read more

This statue is a perfect example of how backwards the politics in Seattle are. You have a statue of a man that contributed to the death of the Russian royal family and set the course for the condition the country is in today. Without him, Russia would most likely be an actual Democratic country. A prosperous one at that. Don't get me started on the "he was a good socialist" garbage - I'm from Russia. It DOESNT work. Lenin led to the rise of Stalin. Who contributed to the deaths of MILLIONS of soviet citizens. The irony is, you have all of these social justice warriors running around Seattle preaching their "woke" beliefs of equality. Really? You have a statue of a man that contributed to the deaths of millions of people standing out in broad day light in one of the most liberal neighborhoods in the city. This statue gets 5 stars because it shows people are no longer capable of ingesting anything longer than a 5 second news clip to base their opinion off of. They have no clue of history. Their opinions aren't based on fact. Thank you Lenin statue of Fremont for proving that being woke is a joke. Keep on coexisting Fremont - while simultaneously approving of the deaths of MILLIONS of Soviet citizens. read more

I walk by this statue many days and never think too much of it. But, really it's quite unique and to know it use to be in someone's front yard, remarkable. Socialism may be coming to Seattle soon and this statue will then truly be the "Center of the Universe". read more

Vladimir Lenin - Merry Christmas 2013 - Public Art Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I was surprised to see Vladimir Lenin made it to States. Not just any size, its huge 20ft statue.There's a informational plaque next to him that describes journey from the former Soviet Union to Seattle. Looks like its an iconic neighbourhood things in Seattle. You have to stop and see. read more

Well, at the very least he's getting some discourse going. I glossed over going to see the Lenin statue on my previous trip, but decided to come by on my latest one after watching a piece on it on the Travel Channel. Lewis Carpenter, a teacher and United States veteran, found it face down in the muck and saw it as something that needed to be preserved for one reason or another. He proceeded to give up practically every red cent he ever had to get this seven-ton bronze effigy home. And then he died. Stories like that always strike a chord with me. There's just something beautiful about all of that effort poured into doing something despite knowing all the flack he surely knew he'd get. All for the sake of rescuing a piece of history he considered well done by the Slavic artist, Emil Venkov. Consider more of the meaning behind the statue's being there for you to see. Carpenter didn't expend himself getting it here as a shrine to Communism, but rather because he believed this artist's work must be saved no matter the cost or motivation behind it. We have chunks of the Berlin Wall on display all over the place and not one eyelash bats. Put a likeness up and it's the talk of the town. Visiting the statue, I was amused someone had painted his free hand red. The question is, though, was it someone who loved or hated Lenin? I mean, of course there's the whole, "Innocent blood is on his hands," comment, but it could similarly mean he's spreading Communism's red with his touch. It reminded me of the defaced Lenin bust the Wende Museum has (http://www.wendemuseum.org/collections/vandalized-lenin-bust). A couple artists were sitting at the base of the statue, sketching. A woman in a red dress, nearby, had laid out a blanket and was attempting to sell books. Most people just walk past the statue without looking up at it, part of the landscape in Fremont. Hey, I'm no fan of Lenin or his successors either, my friend, and you're free to hate the statue's placement all you want. Since it sounds like it's only a temporary placement, I wouldn't be surprised if the Wende bought and acquired it. read more

Menacing. Excellent craftsmanship and I saw him being made, so three stars. I'd like to see all those Fremont yuppies stand in line for toilet paper. read more

You've gotta love the story of how this statue arrived in Fremont. When you drive by and notice a 20ft statue of Lenin to your right, you think, "What the... is that? Wait... he was such a bad guy!" There's a plaque next to him that describes his amazing journey from the former Soviet Union to Seattle and reminds you how important history is... even when it's ugly. All things aside, the artwork is also just amazing. Definitely a site not to be missed. read more

I'd love to see him kick the troll's ass while the family (and dog) waiting for the Interurban watch. I think Lenin could take him. On account of being over eight feet tall and all. Don't let his lame-ass hat fool you. read more

oh vladdy, why oh why do they dress you up all stupid festive? just drop the candy cane in your hand and hold the key to my heart instead. are you anatomically correct? proportionate? not that it matters. just wondering. my love's everlasting, baby. don't fight the feeling. read more

Vladimir Lenin - Public Art Near Me - Seattle, Washington

comrade lenin, i hope no liberal bourgeois can ever buy you, and that you keep lighting our (the hipsterish proletariat's of fremontgrad and its collectives) path with your revolutoinary presence, in our struggle for der kapital (and against lack of it), and food (we'll be happy with just a few pieces of raw fish and decadent theo chocolates). thanks to the new economic policy, we are very dialectically materialistic, and we just say "no" to opium en masses. ps loved your outfit this past christmas, you were a real (red!) star! pps you should have come to the party at mark's house, it ruled. read more

Vladimir Lenin - comrade lenin celebrating christmas - Public Art Near Me - Seattle, Washington

"If it were necessary to give the briefest possible definition of imperialism we should have to say that imperialism is the monopoly stage of capitalism. Such a definition would include what is most important, for, on the one hand, finance capital is the bank capital of a few very big monopolist banks, merged with the capital of the monopolist associations of industrialists; and, on the other hand, the division of the world is the transition from a colonial policy which has extended without hindrance to territories unseized by any capitalist power, to a colonial policy of monopolist possession of the territory of the world, which has been completely divided up." -V.I. Lenin As true today as it was in 1916. read more

I walk past it every day and I'm still bothered that no one's tried to clean up the graffiti.

Hilarious.......every gelato shop needs a deceased communist watching over it, right???? Nothing says communist leader like a free scoop of Lenny gelato! read more

A must see for a visit to Seattle. I mean, it's really something, and reminds us that we must remember history, especially the bad parts. Grab a sandwich (and gelato!) or gyro next door, enjoy the patio and the view. Of Lenin. Seattle flavor at its best. Thanks for listening! read more

Another very intresting statue located in the Fremont neighborhood. Over the years there has been much controversy with it and what it represents yet people seem to respect the statue and not try to destroy it. As near as I can tell anyway. It is a beautiful and thought provoking piece of art! read more

I love this statue... I remember years ago they were talking about taking it down and I just didn't get why.... Anyways, I always love driving by this statue with out of towners in my car, "Is that... Lenin?!" The look of confusion and humour on their faces always makes it worth while : ) read more

It certainly is a statue! He looms! The looming is top-notch. read more

Oh, Lenin! Among all the wonderful places and attractions to visit in Fremont, you simply must stop and pay homage to Vladdy. Have your picture taken with a group of friends and be sure to bring something to honor the statue such as a scarf or colourful lei. You may have to wait your turn for a photo - as this guy is Mr. Popularity. Don't tell anyone, but I think he is a bit of a player with the girls ... and even some guys. read more

Lenin in the center of the universe. Proof that communism is the one true religion. read more

Vladimir Lenin - It snows in Seattle! - Public Art Near Me - Seattle, Washington

My friends who lived behind the "Iron Curtain" before the revolutions of 1989 find it humorous that a statue Lenin is in Seattle. The statue was erected in Poprad, Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia) in 1998, shortly before the Velvet Revolution took place in Czechoslovakia. How it got here is an interesting story... http://www.fremontseattle.com/statuelenin.html Love it or hate it, it is an interesting Seattle (ok...Fremont) landmark. read more