The giant sculpture made from an actual 1953 Volkswagen Beetle by Indonesian artist Ichwan Noor is currently in the Philippines at an ongoing exhibit in SM Mall of Asia.
“The Beetle Sphere 2019” is part of Noor’s breakthrough sculpture series involving iconic components of 1953 vintage Volkswagen Beetles, which he transforms into a perfect sphere.
The idea emerged from his personal perception towards objects that are products of a “transportation culture”. By combining the techniques of manipulation and substitution, the form of this sculpture tends toward realistic distortion.
Noor begins by developing a polyurethane mold of a Volkswagen Beetle, carving a spherical replica of the vehicle’s body before casting it in aluminum. In order to achieve a work of such dexterity, the sculptor, known for his large-scale creations, made a separate, spherical interior that was fitted to complement the cast before painting its exterior.
Each sphere stands at 180 centimeters in diameter and is augmented with the original auto parts by the manufacturer, including acrylic windows, lights, and tires.