„Copernicus”, or new sculpture at airport [PHOTOS, VIDEO]

The sculpture is propelled by to electric-powered engines that change the composition's gravity centre and push the sphere-enclosed installation to revolve. "Copernicus" is connected to a clock that every nine minutes turns the mechanism for one minute. For those of you who are more impatient, a movement sensor was installed next to the sculpture. You just need to come closer for the mechanism to revolve.

"We're trying to explore the world with our senses, but it often turns out that they're not sufficiently precise. Then we try to peep at the world through a key hole. The scholars and scientists are striving to explore the world in the minutest of detail. Nonetheless we won't be able to grasp all knowledge as new questions keep popping up," says Piotr Jędrzejewski, the sculptor's author and a lecturer at the Academy of Fine Arts in Wroclaw. "Copernicus was one such scientist who tried to understand the world and inspired me in my artistic pursuits," he explains.

The idea to create this spatial installation was first brought discussed in 2012. The sculpture was initially to be installed in Ostrów Tumski. However, the work was finally erected in front of Wroclaw Airport. The airport is named after Nicolaus Copernicus, who served as Canon of the Wroclaw Chapter in the 16th century.

"We're striving to bring art to the airport. This is our contribution to this year's celebration of Wroclaw as the European Capital of Culture," says Dariusz Kuś, President of Wroclaw Airport.

"'Copernicus' as an artwork and Copernicus Airport as its setting are a perfect match to each other."

"A modern airport and modern art in one setting," recaps Wroclaw's Deputy Mayor Wojciech Adamski.