The Sphere

From artwork to memorial

Once considered the world's largest bronze sculpture of modern times, it stood between the Twin Towers on the forecourt of the World Trade Center in New York City from 1972 until the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Weighing more than 20 tons, the sculpture was the only surviving work of art to be salvaged from the rubble of the collapsed Twin Towers after the attacks, damaged but largely intact. Since then, the reception of the sculpture has changed into an important symbolic memorial to 9/11. Through its transformation from a work of art to a memorial, Koenig's bronze sphere has taken on a contemporary historical significance that is of exceptional value beyond its role in the art history of the 20th century.