The Curious Planet, 2024 – Olafur Elíasson

A large-scale spherical sculpture at the Mulva Cultural Center (Green Bay, Wisconsin). The sphere is built from geometric segments that follow a consistent subdivision of the sphere; the structure references planetary and cosmic imagery through scale and form. Viewers can walk around and near the piece. The work is part of the studio's ongoing use of spherical and polyhedral geometry at architectural scale; the Mulva commission required coordination with the building and site for foundations and viewing positions.

Research:
The sphere is subdivided into panels or segments using a consistent geometric rule (e.g. spherical polyhedra or geodesic-type subdivision) so that the whole can be fabricated and assembled at large scale. The study addressed which subdivision gave sufficient structural rigidity, feasible panel sizes, and the desired exterior appearance. Loads and fixings for the outdoor site were included. Materials and coatings were chosen for durability and clarity of the geometric pattern.