You can find this massive sculpture in the 66 Plaza Roppongi Hills, just in front of the Mori Tower. My daughter fears this sculpture. To the extend that she wants to be hold in arms the whole time we are close enough to see it. For me, this sculpture is as interesting as it is unexpected.
The first unexpected thing about the spider is that it is not the only one of its kind. There are six other ones! The original, steel-made (1999), is in the Tate Modern in London, and other five bronze casts are in Canada, South Korea, Spain, U.S.A, and Qatar. The one in Tokyo is bronze too. All of them are close to 10 meters in all dimensions, enough for the fire truck to run underneath.
The second unexpected thing is that the spider is an ode to a mother, in particular author’s mum. If I think about my mum, I would never think about comparing her to a spider. But for the author – Louise Bourgeois – a spider encompases nurturing, helpful and protective nature of motherhoop. Her mother was repairing tapestry for living, therefore the metaphors for spider weaving and spinning are merited. Finally, Maman is a french world for mummy, so I should have gotten the clue earlier. Also, if you look carefully from underneath you can see marble eggs in Maman’s belly.
If you are in Tokyo for the next month or so, you have an opportunity to experience Maman transformed with an explosion of colors. From 25th of April to 27th May the Maman will be yarn-bombed by the designs of a textile artist Magda Sayeg. This temporary installation is a part of the Roppongi Hills 15th Anniversary celebrations, being even more special as Magda Sayeg had never displayed her art in any Asian country before.
So if you have time, come to Roppongi Hills to enjoy not only Maman but many, many more attractions. What is your favourite to see or do in Roppongi Hills? Please let me know in the comments.
