Saturday, July 13, 2013

Sol

La Ruta de la Amistad

Station #4 

Sol - Japan

Kiyoshi Takahashi: 1925-1996










The Japanese sculpture is made up of two spheres that have two fourth sections removed.  They stand 7 meters tall.  Their placement is such that an optical illusion is produced when passing automobiles speed past them: it appears that the two spheres are complete and they are rotating on their axis.

As a child, I found this effect mesmerizing.  However, as often was (and is) the case, traffic often slowed the passing cars so that the effect was lost.  I also did not like the fact that they were white.  The grime from exhaust became very visible on them and they were often vandalized.  I am not sure if they are  maintained and cleaned regularly now.




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