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Berlin
(Bezirk Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg) Stadt Berlin Land Berlin Spree vor der Uferpromenade Treptow |
Molecule Man |
Jonathan Borofsky
1997 |
30 m tall aluminium sculpture consisting of three light metal silhouettes of three men, meeting at an angle of 120º. The silhouettes are each perforated with numerous circular holes. The title "Molecule Man" (singular, the title is often incorrectly rendered as "Molecule Men") suggests that a single character is meant, which is represented three times.
The sculpture symbolizes the reunification of Berlin and Germany and stands exactly at the intersection of the districts of Kreuzberg, Treptow and Friedrichshain. Borofsky writes about his "Molecule Man" on his homepage:
My first Molecule Man sculptures were made in 1977 and 1978 in Los Angeles. Early molecule structures included a molecule chair, a ceramic molecule vase, a molecule figure and a model for a molecule building made from styrofoam balls. Originally, I was fascinated by this molecule idea because of the simple fact that even though we appear to be quite solid, we are in fact composed of a molecule structure which, in itself is mostly composed of water and air.
For me, this hundred-foot tall aluminum sculpture composed of three figures meeting in the center, not only refers to the lightness inside our own solid bodies, but also the figures joining in the center, refer to the molecules of all human beings coming together to create our existence. This symbolism is especially poignant for this 100-foot Molecule Man on the Spree River in Berlin since the river marked the division between East and West Berlin
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