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The giant globe in Italy, also known as the "Sphere Within a Sphere" sculpture, is a symbol of peace and unity. It was created by Italian sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro and was installed in 1990 in front of the UN headquarters in New York. The block sliding down the globe represents the fragility of our world and the constant need for protection and preservation.
The sculpture was created using the lost-wax casting method. A smaller model of the sculpture was first created in clay, then a mold was made from the model. Molten bronze was poured into the mold and once cooled, the mold was removed to reveal the bronze sculpture. The final step was to add the polished stainless steel sphere on top of the bronze block.
The bronze block is 3.5 meters high and the entire sculpture stands at 5 meters tall. The outer sphere has a diameter of 4 meters and the inner sphere is 2.5 meters in diameter. The sculpture weighs approximately 18 tons.
The sculpture has been well-maintained since its installation in 1990. However, in 2014, a small fragment of the outer sphere fell off. The sculpture was inspected and repaired, and a protective barrier was also added to prevent further damage.
Yes, there are multiple versions of the "Sphere Within a Sphere" sculpture around the world, each with its own unique design and size. Some other locations where you can find this sculpture include the Vatican Museums in Rome, Italy, the United Nations Office in Vienna, Austria, and the Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland.