Twisted Lamppost Star, Public sculpture in the 20th arrondissement of Paris, France
Twisted Lamppost Star is a public sculpture on Place de Bagnolet in the 20th arrondissement of Paris, created by American artist Mark Handforth. It takes the form of a steel lamppost, painted in shades of pink and twisted into a star shape, standing about 55 feet (17 meters) tall on a roundabout.
The sculpture was unveiled in December 2012, just before the opening of the T3b tram line in Paris, which passes through the Place de Bagnolet. It was commissioned as part of a public art project linked to the new tram route.
The pink color and the star shape of the sculpture draw on motifs from pop culture, making it feel familiar even to people who have never heard of the artist. This playful quality is part of what makes it easy to notice and remember on a busy roundabout.
The sculpture stands on a roundabout at Place de Bagnolet and is visible from the surrounding sidewalks at any time of day. It is freely accessible from the street, and nighttime visits offer a different experience since the lamppost actually functions and gives off light.
Although it looks like a pure sculpture, the work actually functions as a working streetlight, illuminating the roundabout at night. Mark Handforth is known for working with ordinary street furniture such as benches and signs, placing him close to the Ready-Made tradition.
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