Aluminium, stainless steel, gold leaf
930 x 930 x 740 cm

Jean-Michel Othoniel (b. 1964, France)

For COSMOS, Othoniel drew inspiration from the oldest Islamic astrolabe in the world found at the Museum of Islamic Art. He chose gold, the noblest of all metals for it evokes the warm light of the sun, creating an enormous star hanging in the air like a small universe formed by the golden movements of stars. This monumental celestial globe echoes the trajectories of the travellers all around our planet. When viewed from the side or below, the artwork appears like a bright calligraphy drawn in the space. COSMOS also takes the shape of the blooming rose when the viewer is facing the artwork. The rose becomes an abstract sculpture, an allegory of supreme beauty. This organic form also refers to Hamad International Airport’s symbol which is shaped like an open flower and a geometrical traditional motif with eight petals.