Sphères Trames (Spherical Framework)

In 1962, Francois Morellet began developing the Sphères Trames, a sphere formed out of latticed stainless steel tubes. The steel lattices are cut into different size circles and layered until a spherical shape emerges. In the following years, the artist created a number of variations on this concept in different sizes for indoor and outdoor spaces. In some cases, the sculptures were realized as free-hanging spheres that would rotate, creating a visual interplay between the overlapping grids. Others were created for specific fixed locations and the viewer’s movement would enable a similar optical effect.

The generously sized Bielefeld sculpture was designed with the spaciousness of its location in mind and creates a dialogue with the similarly grid-like architecture of the nearby university building. In this case, however, the angular shapes form an open, round structure that can be experienced differently from different perspectives.