'Beetle Sphere' – Amsterdam, Netherlands - Atlas Obscura

The area between the canals of Amsterdam city center is a place filled with decadent houses and the Kalverpassage shopping center. The mall was reclaimed and rebuilt to be accessible to all people. While the beautiful interior design is a sight to behold, the artwork is the true treasure.

The inside of Kalverpassage is filled with various statues and art installations, but perhaps the most interesting of the collection is mechanical in nature. Crafted by Ichwan Noor, the sculpture features a replica 1953 Volkswagen beetle rolled into a perfect sphere. 

Noor carved a replica of the vehicle’s exterior before casting the new creation in aluminum. A similar process was used to recreate the interior.  

Know Before You Go

The ball is freely accessible during opening times of the mall, although you can see it through the glass door even after closing time. 

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