Heureka, Kinetic sculpture at Zürichhorn, Switzerland
Heureka is a kinetic sculpture at Zürichhorn composed of motors, gears, iron rods, steel wheels, metal tubes, and pans. The work uses these components to remain in constant motion while generating acoustic effects.
The work was created between 1963 and 1964 for the Lausanne Expo and later purchased by art collector Walter A. Bechtler. He donated the sculpture to Zurich in 1967, where it found a new home in the city.
The work expresses a mechanical view of industrial society through constant motion that creates only sound without serving any practical purpose. Visitors experience in this interplay between form and function a commentary on modern production.
The best time to visit is from April to October, when the machinery operates twice daily to display its movements. The viewing lasts about 15 minutes and lets you observe the mechanical sequences from different angles.
The work was initially rejected as scrap and faced strong public resistance before gradually gaining acceptance. Today it stands as a valued part of the city's landscape and draws visitors who appreciate its contradictory nature.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
