Iron and steel, offering a higher level of strength and tension, have been widely utilized to build various magnificent structures all over the world. Structures like roads, bridges, buildings and many others are usually made with steel. It is surprising to know that steel was also being used to create amazing works of art.
Some examples:
Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower, one of the most distinguishable structures in the world, can be found on the Champ de Mars in Paris, France. It is made with iron lattice and was constructed in 1889 as the entrance arch to the 1889 World’s Fair.
The Eiffel Tower has become the tallest tower and the most-visited paid monument in the world and it has welcomed its 250 millionth visitor in 2010.
Chicago Picasso
The Chicago Picasso artwork is built of Cor-Ten steel and was assembled at the U.S. Steel Company in Gary, Indiana. It stands 50 feet tall and weighs over 160 tons, towering the Daley Plaza in Chicago. This piece of public art was presented and dedicated to the people of Chicago on August 15, 1967 by Pablo Picasso.
World’s Largest Menorah
The Jews celebrated their religious holiday Hanukkah (Festival of Lights) by lighting the menorah. Yaacov Agam, the famous “Father of Kinetic Art,” designed the world’s largest menorah located in the middle of New York City for their annual Hanukkah celebration.
This gold-colored, 4,000-pound steel menorah is 32 feet tall and can be found at the Grand Army Plaza across the Plaza hotel in New York.
Supertrees
The soaring “Supertrees” are 50-meter tall structures made of steel and concrete that light up the night sky over Singapore.
They are Asia’s latest tourist attraction, forming part of the Gardens by the Bay, a massive £350million project in the Marina Bay area. The trees will showcase plants from across the globe.
Cloud Gate of Chicago
This stainless steel structure is called Cloud Gate, created by the Indian-born British artist Anish Kapoor. The inspiration came from liquid mercury. It has a 12 foot arch in the middle where viewers can see the numerous warped reflections of themselves, the clouds, and the Chicago skyline.
MokuMoku WakuWaku Yokohama YoYo
Unusual in every way, this outstanding public artwork in Japan was created by Hisayuki Mogami and constructed with stainless steel by Yokohama Minato Mirai. It also bears the unusual name “MokuMoku WakuWaku Yokohama YoYo.”
The Empire State Building
The Empire State Building is a 103-story skyscraper with the steel frame alone weighing 57,000 tons.
It was the tallest building in the world for over 40 years, standing majestically on Fifth Avenue, Midtown Manhattan, New York City, between West 33rd and 34th Streets. The Empire State Building is regarded as an American cultural icon.
Balloon Dog
American artist Jeff Koons is famous for his giant steel structures, creating stainless steel animals in the balloon form. His mirror-finished, brightly-colored Balloon Dog is considered one of the best pop art in history.
