A lot of things define a city – its people, cultures, monuments, etc. but art is one aspect that really gives it its life. It creates a sense of attachment, openness and social offering because it’s available to everyone and not to forget, it makes for an amazing spot for a picture or as we call it today – selfie. World over, cities have adopted art as an important aspect of community building and it’s this art that has become iconic to the city.
We list down 5 Iconic Art Structures That Define Cities Around The World:
1. I Amsterdam, Amsterdam
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This is certainly one of the most photographed art installation you’ll find anywhere in the world. What started off as a re-branding campaign by the European City of Amsterdam in 2005, it now sees almost 8,000 people visit this iconic structure on average everyday. Located at the back of the Rijksmuseum, this installation stands 2 metres tall and 23.5 metres wide, giving tourists ample space to perch themselves behind, on top or around it for a perfect photograph.
2. Atomium, Brussels
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Very rarely do you see a building becoming an iconic piece of art! The Atomium in Brussels is the perfect example of how a structure created in 1958 to house the World Fair of Brussels, eventually went on to become a symbol of art. Designed and created by architect André Waterkeyn, the structure symbolizes an iron crystal enlarged 165 billion times. The Automium hosts a permanent exhibition about its history along with many temporary exhibits about design, science and society. Its upper deck offers a spectacular view of the city considering it stands 102 metres high!
3. The Glass Pyramid, Louvre Museum, Paris
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The Louvre Museum is known to be the most visited art museum in the world, attracting over 4.5 million visitors every year. Its Glass Pyramid, which serves as an entrance, is a piece of art in itself and is a favourite iconic tourist attraction. Made up of glass and metal, it was designed by Chinese American architect I.M. Pei and opened its doors on 30th May, 1989 to coincide with the bicentenary of the French Revolution. It reaches a height of 20.6 metres and has a square base 35 metres from the side. Its face is covered by 603 pieces of diamond and 70 triangular glass. Beautiful, isn’t it?
4. LOVE, New York City
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LOVE is an iconic pop art image created by American artist Robert Indiana in 1964 as a design for a Christmas card for the Museum of Modern Art. You must have seen it on album covers, in movies or even as a Google doodle, if not on your Facebook timeline! If you happen to be strolling down 6th Avenue in NYC, you can’t miss this amazing structure which Indiana says is based on the idea that “the word is an appropriated and usable element of art”. Multiple renditions of the symbol are now seen world over, but this one in New York is the original.
5. Love Mumbai, Mumbai
The newest and most favorite art installation on this list has got to be लव Mumbai – an initiative of Asian Paints and St+art India! What started off as a petition on social media to make this a permanent structure in Mumbai after the Kala Ghoda festival, quickly caught the fancy of Aditya Thackeray, head of Shiv Sena’s youth wing, who didn’t want to see this beautiful installation dismantled. With support from fans on online, the MSRDC and DB, this amazing structure finally got a permanent space at Bandra Reclamation. Go visit it, if you’re around!
Do you have an addition to this list? We’d love to hear from you!
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