Split Sphere 裂けた球体　[Sphère fendue]

A white circle stands with its reflection upon the water,its expression changing from moment to moment-this sculpture, despite its geometric form, blends into the surrounding natural environment with its curves and slopes, and carries within it light, spirited movements. In Marta Pan's works, in which plants and seashells from nature have been reduced to simple geometric forms and imbued with movement, are known as floating sculptures, of which many can now be seen in Japan (including the one at the Hakone Open-Air Museum). Water plays an important role in them. It is closely associated with natural forms and with movement, and when the sculpture is placed upon the water surface, it calls attention to the interrelationship between the sculpture and its environment (which together forms sculpture as landscape). In such aspects, we can recognize why the artist would later engage herself in city-size projects. This particular piece and its setting, which the artist herself has called one of the most beautiful in her whole career, is a good example of her sculptural work which has a striking effect on its environment.