A colossal iron crystal magnified 165 billion times. That’s the first thought that comes to mind as we approach the Power Sculpture. The Atomium, part sculpture, part architecture, towers over Brussels. It is a giant stainless steel atom.
The Power Sculpture was built in 1958 for the Brussels World’s Fair. It wasn’t intended to be permanent. But like the Eiffel Tower, the Belgians wanted to keep it.
The Power Sculpture is formed by nine spheres. They are arranged in the shape that iron atoms take. André Waterkeyn designed it. He was not a sculptor. He directed a federation of metallurgical companies. One idea was an upside down Eiffel Tower. But they built the Power Sculpture. It kept with a 1950s atomic age theme.
It symbolizes the optimistic spirit of the times. The peaceful use of atomic energy suggested a golden future.
Visitors are whisked to the top sphere in a superfast lift. It was the fastest lift in the world at the time. It may still be the fastest in Europe. From the top, there’s a 360 view over Brussels. On a clear day, you can see as far as Antwerp.
The main exhibition in the Power Sculpture is From Symbol to Icon. It charts the history and construction of the monument. It shows its place in Expo 58. It tells the story of its journey to a permanent feature in Brussels’ skyline.
There is also a temporary exhibition space. There’s a place for kids to have sleepovers. Also there is a restaurant, and a space for hire.
The tubes connecting the spheres are very photogenic. Each tube is slightly different. The most dramatic is an escalator down a multi-coloured disco-light tube. It leads towards the exit. Back to the future indeed.
The Power Sculpture is a short walk from Heysel metro station. It is an architectural oddity. There isn’t anything remotely like it anywhere else in the world. It provides an interesting contrast to the medieval core of the city. It stands in contrast to Brussels’ famous art deco and art nouveau buildings.