Metalmorphosis
- Admission
- Free
- Hours
- Open 24 hours daily (fountain and rotation schedule typically aligned with business hours)
- Duration
- 15-30 minutes
- Parking
- Free parking available in the surrounding Whitehall Corporate Center office park lots
- Access
- Fully wheelchair accessible with flat, paved concrete plazas surrounding the sculpture
This stunning, 14-ton motorized sculpture of a human head by Czech artist David Černý is made of rotating stainless-steel plates that periodically misalign. Complete with a fountain spitting water from its mouth, it's a mesmerizing blend of engineering and public art.
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Created by Czech artist David Černý, Metalmorphosis is a striking 14-ton kinetic sculpture located in the Whitehall Corporate Center in Charlotte. Constructed from dozens of rotating stainless steel plates, this 30-foot-tall human head continuously shifts its shape to create a mesmerizing, reflective illusion.
The plates rotate 360 degrees independently, controlled by a customized program, occasionally aligning to form a perfect face before fracturing into abstract geometry again. A fountain integrated into the mouth spits water into a surrounding reflection pool, adding a dynamic aquatic element to the polished metalwork.
Though nestled within a corporate office park, the sculpture serves as a highly accessible public art piece that invites reflection on technology and the human form. It is Černý's first permanent public installation in the United States and remains one of Charlotte's most unique architectural oddities.
Ratings
attractionVisitor Tips
- ◆ Visit during a bright, sunny day to see the polished steel plates catch and reflect the sunlight.
- ◆ Bring a camera capable of shooting video, as the true magic of the sculpture is its slow, mesmerizing movement.
- ◆ Be prepared to wait a few minutes to see the plates complete a full cycle and realign into the cohesive face shape.
- ◆ Pair your visit with a lunch stop at one of the nearby eateries located within the corporate park development.
Heads Up
- ◆ The fountain and rotating mechanisms are occasionally turned off for routine maintenance or during freezing winter temperatures.
- ◆ Because the sculpture is located in an active office park, visitors should be mindful of corporate traffic and park only in designated visitor spaces.
Common questions
Does Metalmorphosis still spin and spray water?
The sculpture's motorized rotation and water fountain are occasionally shut down for maintenance or winterized during colder months, though the physical structure remains on display. It is best to check recent local visitor reports to see if the movement is currently active.
Where do you park to see Metalmorphosis?
You can park for free in the visitor parking spaces within the Whitehall Corporate Center office park, which directly surrounds the plaza where the sculpture is located.
Is Metalmorphosis lit up at night?
Yes, the sculpture and its reflecting pool are illuminated by colored lights after dark, making it visible 24 hours a day.