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The Golem

The Golem is a monumental sculpture for a kindergarten in West Jerusalem, Israel, commissioned from Niki de Saint Phalle by Mayor Teddy Kollek. Also known more familiarly as Le Monstre or Mifletzet, it was originally controversial because some parents found it frightening. Jean Tinguely acted as assistant in its construction, working as a technician with Rico Weber and Paul Wiedmer, a team Niki de Saint Phalle called her All Stars Swiss Team. The sculpture features a large head with three tongues serving as slides. It gave its name to the Rabinovich Park, now commonly called the Monster Park, and a support committee currently works for both its rehabilitation and the preservation of the park.

The Golem sculpture with a red mouth and three red slide chutes on sandy ground under a blue sky.
The Golem sculpture in Jerusalem, shown with its open red mouth and three slide chutes extending into the sand.
April 2012 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
The Golem sculpture with children climbing its three red tongue-like slides in a sandy playground surrounded by trees.
The Golem sculpture, nicknamed the Monster Playground, with children climbing its red slides in Kiryat HaYovel.
© עפרה לנקרי · CC BY 2.5
The Golem sculpture with a crown at night, showing a black-and-white patterned figure and three red ramps extending from its mouth.
The Golem sculpture stands in a lit playground at night, with three red ramps extending from its mouth.
© דוידי ורדי · CC BY 2.5
The Golem monster sculpture with three red slide-like tongues, with children climbing on it in a sandy park area.
The Golem playground sculpture in Jerusalem, with children climbing the red slide tongues.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0
The Golem monster slide sculpture with three red chutes, with children playing in a sandy park.
The Golem monster slide in Jerusalem, with children using its bright red chutes.
May 1990 © · CC BY-SA 3.0

Identification

TitleLe Golem
Typemonumental sculpture and playground attraction
DescriptionA sculpture described as a monster; a large head with three red tongues serving as slides
Alternative namesLe Monstre; Mifletzet; Le Golem de Niki

Historical context

Date of creation1971–1972

Creator

ArtistNiki de Saint Phalle
Technical collaboratorsJean Tinguely; Rico Weber; Paul Wiedmer
Collaborative group nicknameAll Stars Swiss Team

Discovery and provenance

Commissioned byTeddy Kollek, then mayor of Jerusalem
Commissioning contextCommissioned for a children's garden in West Jerusalem; the project faced resistance from concerned parents and the city park commission
Approval controversyWhen the commission rejected the project, Teddy Kollek asked it to vote again
Artist statementIn a 1988 interview, de Saint Phalle said she wanted to place a frightening sculpture in a safe place so children could learn to overcome their fears

Location and ownership

AccessibilityPublicly accessible
Part ofRabinovich Park, commonly called "the monster park"
SettingA large sandbox in a playground
Current locationRabinovitz Park, Kiryat Yovel district, Jerusalem, Israel

Physical characteristics

FormOversized head
SlidesThree red tongues that serve as slides
Access to slidesThe slides are reached by a stairway at the rear of the sculpture
User experienceVisitors climb the steps, pass through the head, and slide down the tongues into the sandbox

Iconography and meaning

Meaning of nameMifletzet means "monster," "beast," or "abomination" in Hebrew
SubjectResembles the medieval Golem

History and restoration

Later relocation planIn 2014, the sculpture was to be moved to make room for an extension of the Jerusalem light rail line
Public reaction to relocation planThe planned move sparked protests, and more than 3,000 opposing signatures were submitted to the municipal government

Significance

StatusOne of the attractions of the neighborhood
Public receptionInitially considered too frightening or sinister for children
SupportA support committee exists for its rehabilitation and for preservation of the park that houses it
Related statementAccording to a 1980 interview cited by Jessica Steinberg, de Saint Phalle said this was one of the monumental sculptures she was most proud of

Other

Nearby related sculptureHomage to Jerusalem by Alexander Calder, located at the foot of Mount Herzl
Nearby transportA tramway goes to the area