Breathing Earth Sphere
On November 15, internationally acclaimed artist Olafur Eliasson (b. 1967) unveiled his latest installation, Breathing Earth Sphere, on Dochodo Island, Sinan County, South Korea. The Icelandic-Danish artist, celebrated for his explorations of nature and perception, has created a new work as part of Sinan County’s Art Island Project. This cultural project seeks to blend art and nature across the region’s 1,004 islands, many of which are recognized as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site for their ecological significance.
The Breathing Earth Sphere installation is inspired by Dochodo’s volcanic topography and history. Located within the Dochodo National Park Garden, the work is accessible via a serene pathway lined with pine trees and a contemplative stop at a hackberry tree overlooking the island’s natural landscape. Visitors proceed through a dimly lit tunnel to reach the artwork, a spherical subterranean space with a diameter of 10 meters.
The sphere’s interior is intricately lined with lava stone tiles in red, green, and cyan hues, arranged to create an illusion of multidimensional patterns. The gradation of colors symbolizes the energy of the earth, from the soil’s core to the verdant vitality of plant life. Eliasson describes the space as having no distinct walls, floor, or ceiling, offering visitors an immersive experience of being fully present in the moment. “The polyhedral patterns evoke crystals in the soil, the tiny nutrients that sustain life,” he explains, inviting viewers to reflect on the interconnectedness of humanity and the natural world.
Breathing Earth Sphere is the inaugural work of the Sinan Art Island Project, which aims to redefine the cultural identity of the region by integrating site-specific art into its natural landscape. The project’s slogan, “1 Island, 1 Museum,” underscores its vision of establishing unique art installations or galleries on each of Sinan’s islands. Upcoming projects include works by celebrated artists James Turrell on Nodaedo Island and Antony Gormley on Bigumdo Island.
Sinan County’s commitment to combining cultural innovation with ecological preservation aligns closely with Eliasson’s artistic philosophy. He emphasizes that fostering harmony with the environment requires humans to reconsider their position as just one species among many. “Listening to the earth, to plants, trees, and other living beings, is essential to ensuring the planet’s long-term health,” Eliasson asserts.
Eliasson has long been a pioneer of public art that intertwines environmental and social messages. From The Weather Project at Tate Modern, which attracted over two million visitors, to the globally impactful Ice Watch (2014–2018), his works challenge audiences to reimagine their relationship with the planet. His recent endeavors, including Shadows Travelling on the Sea of the Day in Qatar and the Earth Speakr initiative, demonstrate his ongoing dedication to raising awareness about ecological issues through art.
Breathing Earth Sphere will open to the public on November 25 and is available for viewing by reservation through the Sinan County website. As visitors traverse its pathways and immerse themselves in its vibrant sphere, they will experience an extraordinary union of art, nature, and contemplation—a fitting tribute to Dochodo Island’s natural heritage and a harbinger of the Art Island Project’s transformative potential.
Project: Breathing earth sphere / Location: Jinam-ri, Docho-myeon, Sinan-gun, Jeollanam-do, South Korea / Design: Studio Olafur Eliasson / Completion: 2024 / Photograph: ©Kyungsub Shin (©Studio Olafur Eliasson)
