Mae West, Hyperboloid sculpture in Bogenhausen, Germany.
Mae West is a hyperboloid sculpture made of carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer in Bogenhausen, Munich. The structure rises 520 centimeters (17 feet) high and presents a curved silhouette that tapers from a wide base toward the top.
After debates in the city council over size and cost, construction began in October 2010. Completion followed in January 2011 after several months of work.
The work takes its name from the American actress Mae West, whose silhouette inspired the curved form. Pedestrians watch trams pass through the base daily, connecting everyday transit use with an artistic concept.
The sculpture stands at Effnerplatz, where several tram and bus lines meet. The square is accessible throughout the day and visible from all sides.
Munich tram lines run through the base of the sculpture. This integration of public transit and artistic design is rare in the city.
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