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Kogelbron

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“A floating sphere? How peculiar,” a passerby might murmur, gazing at the Kogelbron near the RAI Amsterdam. The Kogelbron is more than just a curious sight. It’s a kinetic sculpture, a playful dance of water and stone. Created by German artist Christian Tobin in 1993, the Kogelbron is a mesmerizing piece. It consists of a water basin, a carved stone base, and a large, spherical red granite ball. The magic lies in the precisely calibrated fountain beneath the ball. The water pressure, ideally 0.3 bar with a flow of 5 liters per second, lifts the heavy granite sphere, making it appear to float. A gentle push sets the sphere spinning, an enchanting spectacle against the backdrop of the bustling RAI Amsterdam. Tobin, originally known as Christian Mayer, began creating these “Kugelbrunnen” (floating sphere fountains) in 1983. His first, titled “Oblio,” resides in Munich. Another graced Zurich during the 1984 “Phänomena” art project, and a similar one was displayed in Rotterdam’s Het Park exhibition “Het Fenomeen.” The Kogelbron at RAI Amsterdam, bearing the subtitle “Tauf Stein” (baptismal stone) carved on its base, is a testament to Tobin’s artistry and the city’s appreciation for public art. While the mechanism’s current functionality remains a mystery, the Kogelbron continues to capture the imagination. It serves as a quiet reminder of the surprising beauty hidden within the expected, a touch of whimsy amidst the practical world of trade shows and conventions.

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