Ballhofbrunnen, Fountain at Ballhofplatz in Hannover, Germany.
The Ballhofbrunnen is a contemporary fountain on Ballhofplatz in Hannover's central district, comprising three hollow spheres made of copper and tombac that rotate without interruption. These spheres sit within a recessed stone basin and move through an intricate hydraulic mechanism beneath the surface.
Created in 1975 by sculptor Helmut Otto Schön from Munich, it was designed to honor composer Carl Orff on his 80th birthday. The work represented a shift in how public spaces incorporated movement and sculpture as integrated artistic elements.
The fountain sits in a location historically tied to music, and its rotating spheres reflect the cultural role this place holds in the city. Visitors encounter contemporary art displayed in public space, where daily paths intersect with visual experience.
The fountain sits centrally on Ballhofplatz and remains accessible year-round, surrounded by stone benches for sitting. The area is level and easy to reach, making it convenient to pause briefly and watch the continuous motion of the rotating spheres.
The fountain operates on a special system where water pumped upward flows back down by gravity, keeping the metal spheres in perpetual rotation. This principle, known as the Aquamobile mechanism, is unusual and enables the continuous movement to happen without visible external motors.
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