Breathing (memorial sculpture) facts for kids
Breathing is a special sculpture located on the roof of the BBC Broadcasting House building in London. This artwork is a memorial, which means it helps people remember important events or individuals. It honors journalists and other staff members who have sadly lost their lives while working.
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What is the Breathing Sculpture?
The Breathing sculpture is made of glass and steel. It stands very tall, about 10 meters (32 feet) high. The sculpture looks a bit like a torch or an upside-down spire. It is covered with words, and it also includes a poem by James Fenton.
A Special Light Show
At night, the sculpture gives off a soft glow. Then, every evening at 10 PM, something amazing happens. This is the same time the BBC ten o'clock news is broadcast. The memorial shines a bright beam of light into the sky. This light beam can reach up to 900 meters (about half a mile) high and stays on for 30 minutes. It's a powerful way to remember those who are honored.
How Was Breathing Created?
The Breathing sculpture was officially shown to the public on June 16, 2008. The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon helped unveil it.
Who Designed It?
The sculpture was created by a Spanish artist named Jaume Plensa. He worked with many other talented people. These included Sir Richard MacCormac, who was the architect for Broadcasting House, and his team at MJP Architects. They also worked with public art consultants from Modus Operandi and engineers from Whitby Bird & Partners.
The BBC chose this design after holding an international competition. The shape of the sculpture was inspired by two nearby structures. One was the spire of the All Souls Church, Langham Place, and the other was the radio mast on the roof of Broadcasting House.
