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The Sphere

The Sphere, originally titled Große Kugelkaryatide N.Y. and also known as Sphere for Plaza Fountain and Koenig Sphere, is an outdoor bronze sculpture in New York City. It was designed and made by a German sculptor between 1968 and 1971 as part of the fountain between the twin towers of the original World Trade Center. The sculpture survived the September 11, 2001 attacks as the only artwork from the World Trade Center site, though it was heavily damaged by falling debris. It was unveiled in Battery Park on March 11, 2002 as the first official memorial to the victims of the attacks, and later moved to Liberty Park, where it was installed and unveiled in 2017.

Map of the World Trade Center site showing The Sphere with red markers for its original and current locations.
Map of the World Trade Center area showing The Sphere and its original and current locations.
March 2024 © · CC BY 3.0
Map of the World Trade Center complex with two red markers showing the original and new location of The Sphere.
Site plan of the World Trade Center complex showing the original and new locations of The Sphere.
March 2024 © · CC BY 3.0
Map of lower Manhattan showing The Sphere marked with a red circle near Battery Park.
A map of lower Manhattan marking the location of The Sphere near Battery Park.
March 2024 © openstreetmap.org · CC BY 2.5
Map of lower Manhattan showing Battery Park, Wall Street, Zuccotti Park, and The Sphere area.
A detailed map of lower Manhattan highlighting Battery Park, Wall Street, and nearby landmarks associated with The Sphere.
March 2024 © openstreetmap.org · CC BY-SA 2.5
Map of lower Manhattan showing three numbered locations and landmarks including Wall Street, the New York Stock Exchange, and Zuccotti Park.
Map of lower Manhattan showing the locations associated with The Sphere.
March 2024 © NordNordWest · CC BY-SA 2.5

Identification

TitleThe Sphere
TypeMonumental fountain sculpture
Original titleGroße Kugelkaryatide N.Y.
Alternative namesSphere for Plaza Fountain; Koenig Sphere; Sphere at Plaza Fountain; WTC Sphere; WVZ Sk 416

Creator

Artist nationalityGerman
Commissioned byPort Authority of New York and New Jersey
Commission year1966
ArtistFritz Koenig

Historical context

Intended symbolismWorld peace through global trade
Design inspirationA deliberate counterpoint to Yamasaki's monumental rectangular towers; also conceived as a 'caryatid sphere'
Associated projectThe original World Trade Center complex
Designed and created1968–1971
Commission contextDesigned for the plaza between the Twin Towers under architect Minoru Yamasaki

Discovery and provenance

Original locationAustin J. Tobin Plaza, World Trade Center, New York City, between the Twin Towers
Installation period at original location1972 to September 11, 2001
Recovered fromThe ruins of the World Trade Center after the September 11, 2001 attacks
Post-attack storageStored near a hangar at John F. Kennedy International Airport
Temporary locationBattery Park, New York City
Temporary installation period2002 to 2017
Current locationLiberty Park, World Trade Center, Manhattan, New York City, United States
Current settingOverlooking the 9/11 Memorial and near the original site

Physical characteristics

WeightMore than 20 tons
BaseCircular platform of black porphyry, 25 m in diameter
Diameter5 m
Height7.7 m

Materials

Primary materialBronze

Technique

Casting methodSand cast
Model materialPlaster
Model segmentationCut into 67 parts for casting
Fabrication collaboratorsJosef Plankensteiner and Hugon Jahn
FoundryHans Mayr's foundry in Munich
Assembly locationKoenig's studio in Ganslberg
Transport for installationDismantled into six parts and shipped by sea to New York in a wooden crate

Appearance

Water flow600 liters per second
Water systemWater spread in waves across the platform, disappeared into a bronze grate, and returned to the center of the fountain
RotationRotated once every 24 hours

Significance

Former statusOnce regarded as the world's largest modern bronze sculpture
Public usePopular meeting place and lunch spot for workers at the World Trade Center

History and restoration

Condition after September 11 attacksSurvived as the only work of art from the World Trade Center site, but was severely damaged by falling debris and rubble; largely intact with dents and holes
Removed after attacksDismantled during debris clearing
Reinstallation at Battery ParkRededicated on 11 March 2002 with visible, unrepaired damage as the first official memorial to the victims of the September 11 attacks
Battery Park memorial elementsA commemorative plaque was placed in front of it, and an eternal flame was later lit there
Battery Park statusConsidered temporary by many groups; relocation to the World Trade Center memorial site was repeatedly requested and refused
Removal noticeIn January 2011, the Port Authority ordered its removal from Battery Park by autumn 2011 because of planned construction work
Relocation to Liberty ParkApproved by the Port Authority board in July 2016 and installed there on 16–17 August 2017
Rededication at Liberty ParkOfficially rededicated on 29 November 2017
Current conditionMaintained in the severely damaged condition it sustained after the September 11 attacks
DocumentaryKoenig's Sphere (2001)