Eco-Earth Globe, Public art globe in Riverfront Park, Salem, United States.
The Eco-Earth Globe is an outdoor sculpture in Salem Riverfront Park featuring a rotating spherical structure roughly 26 feet (8 meters) in diameter. Its surface is completely covered with ceramic tiles and artistic elements that depict Earth's geography and natural features.
The globe originated as an industrial acid storage container for a paper company before being transformed into public art in 2003. This conversion from industrial equipment into a community artwork represents a shift toward recycling and repurposing old structures.
Hundreds of ceramic tiles were created by local artists and students, each depicting different regions and environmental themes from around the world. These handcrafted pieces work together to tell a story about how our planet's diverse places and ecosystems are connected.
The sculpture sits centrally in Riverfront Park and is easily accessible by walking through the park's pathways. Visit during daylight hours to see the ceramic details clearly, and allow time to walk around the entire structure to view all sections of the artwork.
Despite being converted from industrial equipment, the globe still retains its ability to rotate, allowing visitors to observe different sections of ceramic work created by various artists. This mechanical feature connects the sculpture's past as a functioning tank to its present role as interactive public art.
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