olafur eliasson: your rainbow panorama

danish artist olafur eliasson‘s ‘your rainbow panorama’ is set for construction on the roof of the ARoS århus kunstmuseum. it is expected that the first guests will be able to enter the colossal and colorful artwork in the fall of 2010.

roof top view of ‘your rainbow panorama’ image courtesy of olafur eliasson

the ARoS building, designed by schmidt hammer lassen architects, is built on the concept of dante’s ‘divine comedy’, and the realization of eliasson’s rooftop project will create a connection between heaven and the underworld. visitors will gain access to the museum’s rooftop circular, large glass walkway, measuring 52 metres in diameter, formed in the color spectrum, via stairs and elevators. from here, visitors can move around in a 150 meter long, circular panoramic path with 360º views of the surrounding city. ‘your rainbow panorama’ also ensures full accessibility for those with impaired walking.

visualization within ‘your rainbow panorama’ image courtesy of olafur eliasson

the structure’s walkway, whose interior measurements of the walkway are 3 m wide by 3 m high, is supported by 12 columns resting on the weight-bearing steel construction beneath the terrace deck. the total weight of the steel for walkway weighs approximately 140 tons, while the steel for the weight-bearing construction beneath the terrace deck weighs around 100 tons. the glass in the walkway measures 2 x 12mm, laminated with a composition of up to four colored foils, which create the individual nuances in ‘your rainbow panorama’. the circular promenade is stabilized against the impact of wind by securing it to the museum’s existing construction in four places on the roof. the area is naturally ventilated via a controlled system of small dampers, which are placed within the floor and roof of the walkway.

rendering of the circular walkway image courtesy of ARoS

‘it is fantastic that it is now going to be possible to supply arhus and denmark with this unique artwork by one of the world’s most renowned and fêted artists. we are looking forward to being able to invite guests of the museum to unusual experiences in a wonderful artwork. here at ARoS we are in no doubt that olafur eliasson’s unique project will attract attention around the world. the fact that we are now able to realize ‘your rainbow panorama’ underlines in every way that the age of miracles is not yet over.’ – jens erik sørensen, museum director of ARoS

rendering of the rooftop installation image courtesy of ARoS