If you’ve been to Roppongi Hills in Tokyo, you would have encountered the gigantic spider in Roku Roku Plaza. The ten metre bronze sculpture called Maman is the work of French artist Louise Bourgeois who passed away yesterday at age 98.
Roppongi Hills is a large modern complex combining elegant shops, designer boutiques, trendy cafés, gourmet restaurants including L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon as well as offices, bars, nightclubs and a traditional Japanese garden earning it the title of a ‘city within a city’. Another notable feature of Roppongi Hills is the mega sized television screen by the headquarters of Asahi TV but it is the arachnid sculpture that has become a very popular meeting place.
If you stand directly beneath the spider and look up, you will see the intricate detail in the body and notice that Maman is carrying eggs.
Renowned artist Louise Bourgeois was born in Paris and later moved to New York. Known for controversy in some of her works which have been inspired by her childhood experiences. Her series of spider sculptures have featured around the world.
Adieu Madame.
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