Sesquipedalian Sea Squirt – Glenelg, Australia - Atlas Obscura
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Sesquipedalian Sea Squirt

Glenelg, Australia

A controversial interactive sculpture that "weeps" water. 

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As part of the transition of Chapel Street into a public plaza in 2021, an artwork was installed by the St Andrews-by-the-Sea Church. The result, a David Lynch-esque blob held up by three concrete poles. The sculpture, titled sesquipedalian sea squirt, evokes the unique and strange marine life in the nearby waters.

The responsive sculpture invites passersby to touch and interact with it. When approached, the glass spheres strewn throughout may just light up to say hello, and at random intervals the statue “weeps” water down its sides. The oddly-shaped squirt was immediately controversial—some naysayers even attempted to have it thrown into the sea. Often compared to a melting ice cream, or a diseased heart, many locals have a strong opinion on it.

The artwork, designed by local artist Michael Kutschbach, is intended to arouse curiosity, challenge people’s perceptions and provides viewers with the opportunity to form their own interpretations.

Know Before You Go

The sea squirt is publicly accessible via Jetty Road and Chapel Street.

art outside oceans sculptures statues
Nearby
Archer's Arcadia
0.21 miles
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0.77 miles
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4.74 miles
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