Five enigmatic forms greet you. They are the Familie von fünf halben Kugeln. This sculpture isn’t just art it’s a mathematical puzzle a playful exploration of volume and form. Created by Max Bill a renowned artist architect and even former rector of the Ulm School of Design this masterpiece was commissioned in 1964. The year the mathematics building at the then Karlsruhe Institute of Technology was under construction.
Bill’s vision was bold. He designed five sculptures each a unique interpretation of a half-sphere. Each with a diameter of approximately 240 centimeters. Incredibly despite their differing shapes all five possess the identical volume.
Initially planned for construction from light grey granite Bill opted for artificial stone instead. This was not a mere aesthetic choice. Granite’s weight would have caused significant structural issues. Cost was another factor.
Three of the half-spheres grace the courtyard. The remaining two flank the staircases of the building. In 2012 a renovation of the math building necessitated their removal. They were temporarily relocated to a parking lot. Since 2015 however they have found a protected home in the building’s atrium.
Bill’s own words offer a fascinating insight. He described the visible half of each sphere as representing practical mathematics. The unseen half the imagined top representing the abstract theoretical side of the discipline. A clever metaphor for the unseen complexities of mathematical thought. For its ingenious design and its interesting journey through time this artwork continues to inspire and intrigue. It is truly a unique addition to Karlsruhe’s cultural landscape.