| Artist | Alexander Calder |
|---|---|
| Year | 1968 |
| Height metric | 25.8 |
| Metric unit | m |
| Imperial unit | ft |
| Condition | Restored |
| City | Mexico City |
| Coordinates | 19°18′8.2″N 99°8′51.3″W |
| Website | mexico68.org |
El Sol Rojo () is an outdoor steel sculpture in Mexico City. It was created by the American artist Alexander Calder for the 1968 Summer Olympics, specifically for the Ruta de la Amistad art project, and it was installed on the grounds of Estadio Azteca.
History and description
In March 1967, the Mexican-German sculptor Mathias Goeritz was commissioned to develop an art project, which would be part of the 1968 Cultural Olympiad ahead that year Olympics Games.[1] Multiple artists were invited, and 19 of them and their respective artworks were selected, and the project was named the Ruta de la Amistad ().[2] Among them was Alexander Calder, who sent his proposal to Goeritz on 8 November 1967. Calder supervised the erection after that Christmas.[1]
El Sol Rojo was installed on the main plaza adjacent to Estadio Azteca.[3] It is a 25.8-meter (85-foot)-tall black steel structure.[1][4] It features three legs with visible welding marks, which differs from Calder's other works, which were bolted together.[5] At its center is a red circle whose tone changes depending on the position of the sun, as it glows brightly at midday and appears dull at dawn and dusk.[1]
When El Sol Rojo was inaugurated, the sculpture featured a white-and-blue psychedelic floor bearing the Mexico 68 logotype, which remained in place for the 1970 FIFA World Cup, also hosted by Mexico City. By the 1986 FIFA World Cup, an orange circle had been added. From then on, maintenance of the sculpture declined. Despite its location, the sculpture is not owned by the stadium's proprietors. Although the land belongs to the city government, the borough of Coyoacán unofficially administers it due to the absence of a legal owner, as neither the federal nor city authorities have claimed responsibility for the property.[5]
The group Patronato Ruta de la Amistad oversees the monument, as well as all the other Ruta de la Amistad monuments, and it restored El Sol Rojo in 2009. According to its members, the sculpture is frequently soiled due to its location next to the stadium, as football fans often leave litter in the surrounding area. In addition, nearby street vendors may dispose of food grease on it.[5]
References
- ^ Juárez Bautista, Frida (27 July 2024). "La obra más grande de Alexander Calder que está en CDMX" [Alexander Calder's largest work located in Mexico City] (in Spanish). El Universal. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- ^ Rebatta, Andrew (9 June 2011). "La ruta de la amistad y el desarrollo del no-lugar" [Ruta de la Amistad and the development of the non-place] (in Spanish). Museo Experimental El Eco. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- ^ Salvador, Cinthia (11 March 2024). "Quién fue el famoso artista autor del 'Sol Rojo', la emblemática escultura del Estadio Azteca" [Who was the famous artist behind 'El Sol Rojo', the iconic sculpture at Estadio Azteca] (in Spanish). Infobae. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- ^ Mateos-Vega, Mónica (4 July 2008). "Invitan a redescubrir icono urbano creado por el artista Alexander Calder" [An invitation to rediscover an urban icon created by artist Alexander Calder]. La Jornada
- ^ "El Sol rojo de Calder es usado como baño público" [Calder's El Sol Rojo is used as a public restroom] (in Spanish). El Universal. 8 April 2015. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
External links
- Official website (in Spanish)
- Drawing of El Sol Rojo (1968) by the Calder Foundation
- El Sol Rojo by the Calder Foundation
- El Sol Rojo (1:5 intermediate maquette) by the Calder Foundation
- El Sol Rojo; Alexander Calder at the Official Guide to Mexico City