The Whirling Ear

The Whirling Ear is a kinetic metal sculpture painted black that continuously rotates through a motorized system. This spiral-shaped artwork rises about 6 meters tall and is constructed from welded steel sheets.

The artwork was created by Alexander Calder for the 1958 Brussels World's Fair and symbolized the cultural bridge between East and West. It originally stood between the United States and Soviet Union pavilions at the exhibition.

The sculpture gets its name from its swirling spiral shape that resembles a spinning ear. It sits in a central location where people pass by and interact with it daily, showing how art shapes the way we experience public spaces.

The sculpture is located at the intersection of Coudenberg and rue Montagne de la Cour in central Brussels. It is easily reached on foot from Mont des Arts, where it stands freely accessible among modern buildings and historic pathways.

The sculpture disappeared into the basement of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts for three decades after the world's fair ended. Its return to public display in 2000 marked a rediscovery that brought this forgotten artwork back to the heart of the city.

Location: City of Brussels

Inception: 1958

Creator: Alexander Calder

Address: Coudenberg 3, 1000 Bruxelles

GPS coordinates: 50.84313,4.35811

Latest update: December 8, 2025 08:21