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The Olympic Needle - Barcelona Sculpture 4/4
Posted by Jules (Drayton, United Kingdom) on 21 June 2012 in Art & Design and Portfolio.
Designed by Santiago Calatrava and built for Telefónica to transmit television coverage of the 1992 Summer Olympics Games in Barcelona. The "Needle" is sited at the heart of the Olympic complex and surrounded by the major sporting venues and stadium. The 136 m (446 ft) tower is innovative in its design by enclosing the circular platform of microwave dishes, replacing the normal clutter with a serene white arc.
There is some debate over the imagery it represents - a kneeling figure making an offering or an athlete holding the Olympic flame are the two thoughts open for discussion.
Because of the tower's orientation, it works also as a giant sundial, which uses the Europa square to indicate the hour.