Breathing Earth Sphere

Olafur Eliasson’s Breathing Earth Sphere is now open to the public on Docho Island, South Korea, as part of the Shinan Art Island Project. The installation, which opened in November 2024, marks the first major artwork of this public art initiative celebrating the natural beauty of Shinan County. Docho Island’s volcanic history serves as the foundation for this immersive, spherical installation, which invites visitors to experience the environment in a new way.

Breathing Earth Sphere is a subterranean space lined with 1,200 tiles crafted from volcanic lava stone, creating a unique sensory experience. As visitors enter through the hillside entrance, they encounter a dynamic interior where the color of the tiles transitions from red at the bottom to green at the top. This shift in color symbolizes the natural progression from soil to plant life, reflecting the earth’s vitality and connection to the human experience.

There are no walls, ceilings, or floors within the sphere, creating an uninterrupted, boundaryless space. Eliasson’s design eliminates traditional spatial limits, allowing for a pure, meditative sense of presence. The polyhedral tiles are arranged in a way that responds to the viewer’s movements, evoking the natural elements of the earth and the nutrients that sustain life.

The use of volcanic rock in the artwork emphasizes the island’s geological roots and enhances Eliasson’s exploration of how natural materials shape human perception. Ranieri, an Italian company, played a key role in supplying the 1,200 bespoke tiles, which were meticulously crafted in 24 colors to fit the curved surfaces of the sphere.

The Shinan Art Island Project, which encompasses 1,004 islands, aims to feature a unique cultural project on each island. Eliasson’s installation is the first of many that will draw attention to the region’s rich natural environment while offering visitors new perspectives on art and nature.