The Curious Planet, 2024 – Olafur Eliasson

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 reads as planetary at this scale. Viewers walk around and near the piece. The Mulva commission required coordination with the building and site for foundations and viewing positions.

Research:
The sphere is subdivided into panels using a consistent geometric rule so that the whole can be fabricated and assembled at large scale. The study determined which subdivision gave sufficient structural rigidity, feasible panel sizes, and the intended exterior pattern. Loads and fixings for the outdoor site were included. Materials and coatings were chosen for durability and clarity of the geometric pattern.