Seeing Spheres

Seeing Spheres is a public artwork by Olafur Eliasson in San Francisco, exploring the relationship between perception, reflection, and shared space. The installation consists of five large, mirror-polished steel spheres, each measuring approximately 4.7 meters in height and diameter. Inward-facing mirrors surrounded by LED lighting create an interplay of reflections, producing seemingly endless tunnels of light and imagery that change as visitors move around the artwork.

The sculpture invites viewers to experience their surroundings from unexpected perspectives, reflecting both themselves and the people around them. Through its arrangement of mirrored surfaces, Seeing Spheres transforms the surrounding public space into an interactive experience.

CIG was responsible for the engineering, material supply, production, pre-assembly, and installation support of the five steel spheres. To achieve their smooth, rounded surfaces, the individual steel components were manufactured using hydroforming, a specialized process in which high-pressure water is used to shape metal into the required form.

Combining advanced forming techniques with precise engineering and fabrication, CIG helped realize Eliasson's sculptural vision, creating a series of monumental reflective surfaces that bring together art, technology, and craftsmanship.

Olafur Eliasson, Seeing Spheres, 2019, Photo: Matthew Millman, Commissioned by Chase Center, San Francisco, @ 2019 Olafur Eliasson