2016 Summer Olympics cauldron

Take a look at this strange sculpture in front of you; it might have you reminiscing about childhood days spent blowing on pinwheels. It’s actually the 2016 Summer Olympics cauldron. Following the opening ceremony at the Maracana stadium, the Olympic flame was brought here in this very square. This wind-driven sculpture was designed by North American artist Anthony Howe, known for his kinetic artworks. Think art in motion, powered by wind, sun, motors, or even passers-by! As for Anthony Howe, wind is his thing. His sculptures come alive swaying and swirling at the element’s whim. The one here was nicknamed “the People’s Cauldron”, as it was the first to be placed outside a stadium, closer to the cheering crowds! I’d like to take this opportunity to tell you about the origins of the Olympic flame, dating back to Antiquity. Back then, the Greeks believed fire to be sacred. According to a revered legend, the Titan Prometheus stole it from Zeus and gave it to humanity. To this day, many temples keep a fire burning at all times. Take, for example, the undying flame in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Pantheon. Well, they did the exact same thing in the ancient Olympic Games in Olympia, Greece – a fire was kept burning throughout the competitions. This tradition came back in style at the 1928 Summer Olympics. Then, in 1936, came the first torch relay, with athletes carrying the flame from the ruins of the Temple of Hera in Olympia all the way to the Berlin Olympic Stadium.