Marco Crisciotti In the heart of Seattle, under the famous Pike Place Market, we can find one of the most eccentric attractions in the world: the Gum Wall, a wall entirely covered in used chewing gum. A sort of sticky mosaic, located in the Post Alley area, it has become over the years a living work of art, capable of arousing contrasting feelings, between the fascination of something that could belong to pop art, and the disgust caused by the "material" used.
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The Gum Wall had its beginnings in the early 1990s, when Market Theater patrons waiting for admittance before the show would affix their chewing gum to the outside brick walls. What was likely considered an irritating habit quickly transformed into a communal ritual. Attempts to clean the gum by the theater staff soon ceased because the sheer volume of “contributions” became overwhelming. After two failed cleaning attempts, the wall was left to its fate, becoming a testament to spontaneous creativity and collective participation.
From local symbol to global phenomenon
In 2009, the Gum Wall achieved international fame thanks to the film Love Happens, where Jennifer Aniston and Aaron Eckhart add their own gum to the wall in a memorable scene. This cinematic moment made the wall a romantic landmark, not unlike the love locks of Paris or Rome-the locks on Ponte Milvio in Rome gained similar fame after Gabriele Muccino’s novel Ho Voglia di Te in 2006 and its movie version in 2007.
Since then, tourists from around the globe have flocked to Post Alley to leave their mark, contributing to the kaleidoscope of colors and shapes that make the Gum Wall so unique. Today, the wall spans over 53 feet (16 meters) in length and about 8 feet (2.5 meters) in height. With an estimated 180 pieces of gum per brick, it’s a constantly evolving artwork where every visitor becomes a potential “artist.”
The kooky appeal of a bacteria-infested magnet
Despite its popularity, there are those who do criticize the Gum Wall. “The saliva and sugar in the gum create a perfect breeding ground for bacteria,” it states. In 2009, it was recognized as one of the world’s top five germiest tourist attractions. A few brave souls have even tasted the gum from the wall, for which there is no explanation.
During hot weather, the wall also stinks, while the sticky feeling of the place gives way to an extra dimension in repulsiveness. That does not, however, stop people curious enough from passing by its quirky sight or even knowing the collective story behind that wall.
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Cleaning the Gum Wall
Over the years, the task of overseeing the area has fallen to the Pike Place Market Preservation and Development Authority, the PDA, which has struggled with how to preserve the integrity of the wall. In 2015, after more than two decades, the wall received an extensive cleaning, to prevent sugar in the gum from damaging the bricks. The cleaning process took 130 hours and removed over one ton of material.
But within months, the wall is back to its colorful state again. Every cleaning is shortly replaced by a fresh layer of gum, as if the community is attached to this weird tradition. The most recent cleaning – the first since 2019 – took place just a few days ago.
A symbol of Seattle’s culture
The Gum Wall is a tourist attraction that embodies Seattle’s eccentric and creative spirit. In a city that celebrates both art and community, the wall represents a shared experience where every visitor can leave their mark.
Madison Bristol, a spokesperson with the Pike Place Market PDA calls the wall “an ever-changing piece of art,” inviting in the world: “It’s always different, and it’s a fun expression of everyone who passes by.”
The future of the Gum Wall
Controversies and maintenance challenges haven’t diminished the Gum Wall’s reputation as a symbol of Seattle’s identity. In a world increasingly dominated by virtual experiences, the Gum Wall offers a tangible memory-a physical act that connects thousands of people in a shared space. It is a celebration of collective spontaneity and creativity that continues to fascinate and spark discussion.
Seattle has many faces: technological, artistic, and natural. The Gum Wall, with its sticky and colorful presence, is the representative of the city’s most eccentric and imaginative side.
