Shangri-La Tulips, Public sculpture at Place François-Mitterrand, Lille, France
Shangri-La Tulips is a seven-meter-high concrete sculpture presenting itself as a group of large red and white tulips beside Lille Europe station. The structure displays oversized flowers in vibrant colors with characteristic speckled patterns across its surface.
The installation was created for Lille's designation as European Capital of Culture in 2004. This project marked a turning point in the city's artistic and urban development.
This work comes from Yayoi Kusama, a Japanese artist known for her trademark patterns and bright colors. Visitors encounter her distinctive visual style here, with repeated shapes and speckled surfaces that define her artistic approach.
The sculpture is located on the open Place Francois-Mitterrand square and is easy to reach from the station hall. You can photograph it from various angles and explore the area at your own pace during daylight hours.
In 2019, firefighters had to cut away a piece of one tulip after a child's leg became trapped inside the concrete structure. This incident reveals the unexpected challenges that can arise with public art installations.
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