Falcons Stadium to Feature World’s Largest Bird Sculpture
Above: A rendering of one of Mercedes-Benz Stadium’s soon-to-be-completed large-scale sculptures: a mirror-faceted soccer ball that will stand almost 35 feet high.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium is soon to be home to the world’s largest bird sculpture.
The AMB Group revealed in a press release Sept. 8 the first renderings of two signature sculptures to be installed at the stadium, as well as the artists selected for the collection.
One of the sculptures will be a falcon rising 41.5 feet tall with a wing span of more than 64 feet, making it the world’s largest bird sculpture. Constructed by Gábor Miklós Szőke of Budapest, the stainless-steel work, capturing the moment of a touchdown, will be erected on the main plaza facing the city skyline.
The second piece, a mirror-faceted soccer ball standing almost 35 feet high, created by Studio Roso of London, will sit by the north entrance overlooking the green space being developed on the current site of the Georgia Dome.
The two sculptures are being created to honor the stadium’s home teams, the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United, and are positioned for the public to enjoy within the larger downtown landscape.
“This stadium is meant to reflect what our fans and supporters told us they want, and the art program is no exception,” Falcons owner Arthur Blank said. “We listened and responded by choosing artists who would bring those sensibilities to the pieces they create; the ideas of community, inspiration, play and excitement will resonate throughout the building.”
To date, 53 artists have been selected to create artwork for the stadium’s interior public spaces and exterior plazas, including all concourses, club and suite spaces, and corporate offices. Curated by the Savannah College of Art and Design to enhance the guest experience with energetic, inspiring and vibrant work, the Art Collection at Mercedes-Benz Stadium will explore themes including football, soccer, and the history and culture of Georgia and Atlanta.
The collection will feature work across media, including sculpture, painting, drawing, photography, mixed media and digital art.
“I am honored that these most respected institutions asked me to design and create such an important sculpture,” Szőke said. “It’s an incredible opportunity to work on such a groundbreaking piece with more than 100 people in my studio.”
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In an effort to engage Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United fans, the teams and SCAD polled over 1,200 fans to identify themes, colors and aesthetics for the Art Collection.
Twenty-six artists from Atlanta and surrounding cities were selected to underscore the importance of community within the stadium. In February, through outreach to art galleries, Atlanta media and the Georgia Council for the Arts, SCAD put out a call for local artists to submit portfolios. Over 650 submissions were reviewed, and select artists presented formal proposals for potential commissions.
SCAD was chosen to commission, select and install original artwork and memorabilia for the stadium.
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