Olafur Eliasson's Seeing Spheres Debuts at Chase Center in San Francisco
At Thrive City, located near the Chase Center in San Francisco's Mission Bay, Olafur Eliasson has introduced his public art piece, Seeing spheres. This installation consists of five hydroformed steel spheres, each exceeding 4.5 meters in height, positioned in a circular formation at the east entrance. Each sphere features a circular mirror surface surrounded by LED lights, capturing reflections of both the other spheres and onlookers. Eliasson envisions it as a communal area for contemplation and connection. This artwork is part of a larger initiative to incorporate contemporary art at Thrive City, which also includes a collaboration between SFMOMA and the Golden State Warriors. The Chase Center, which accommodates 18,064 spectators, debuted with a Metallica concert and plays a key role in Thrive City’s evolution.
Key facts
- Olafur Eliasson created Seeing spheres for Thrive City at Chase Center in San Francisco.
- The installation comprises five polished hydroformed steel spheres over 4.5 meters tall.
- Each sphere has a circular mirror face framed by LED lights, reflecting the other spheres.
- Eliasson's work explores perception and public space, themes present in his 2007 SFMOMA retrospective.
- His exhibition Olafur Eliasson: In Real Life is currently at Tate Modern, covering 30 years of his career.
- SFMOMA has loaned works by Alexander Calder and Isamu Noguchi to Chase Center.
- Chase Center opened with a Metallica and San Francisco Symphony concert.
- Thrive City includes 13,000 square meters of public spaces, offices, restaurants, and wellness programs.
Entities
Artists
- Olafur Eliasson
- Alexander Calder
- Isamu Noguchi
Institutions
- Chase Center
- Thrive City
- San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
- SFMOMA
- Golden State Warriors
- Tate Modern
- Museum of Modern Art San Francisco
- San Francisco Symphony
- Metallica
Locations
- San Francisco
- Mission Bay
- Oakland
- Copenhagen
- London
- United States