Want to walk up a giant, looping roller coaster?

On November 13, 2011, the “Tiger & Turtle – Magic Mountain” sculpture in Duisburg, Germany, opened to the public. This isn’t your average piece of public art, however, as it is designed like a giant roller coaster with stairs and slopes that people can actually walk on.

Traversing over the sculpture, visitors will be put 148 feet above the surrounding countryside, gaining access to great views of the famous Rhine. While trekkers will reach great heights, they unfortunately will not get to go upside down, as the intimidating-looking loop actually contains stairs that keep you standing straight up.

The piece, which took one year to build, was created by German artists Heike Mutter and Ulrich Genth, who describe the sculpture like this:

“The curved flight of stairs inscribes like a signature on the landscape and recruits the nimbus of the classical roller coaster. Having a closer look, the public is disappointed in a disarming way. The visitor climbs on foot via differently steep steps the roller-coaster-sculpture. So the sculpture subtly and ironically plays with the dialectic of promise and disappointment, mobility and standstill. Visitors happen to briefly meet with oncoming visitors on the steep and about 1m | 1yd wide corridors. Led-lights are integrated in the handrails and highlight the flight of stairs so the sculpture is accessible at night, too.”

Make sure to visit during the day, as well as at night, when the LED lights are on.

3 events to check out in Holland this November

This November, 2011, Holland is full exciting events. Whether you want to experience art, music, literature, or photography, you can find it in Holland. Here are three must-attend happenings in Holland this Fall.

GLOW 2011
Eindhoven, The Netherlands, November 5-November 12, 2011

The city center of Eindhoven is transformed into a stage of light design with GLOW 2011. Enjoy surreal and interactive art installations, performances based on artificial light, interventions, and architecture.

The Future of the Photography Museum
Foam Amsterdam, Amsterdam, November 5-December 7, 2011

Foam Amsterdam is celebrating their 10th anniversary by hosting The Future of the Photography Museum, a collaboration of four different experts from the cultural field to discuss how photography can be presented in a museum. The four results are each radical and provocative and will be presented in the same space at the same time.

Crossing Border, The Hague
The Hague, Netherlands, November 15, 2011

Crossing Border The Hague is one of Europe’s main international music and literature festivals. Watch live performances, hear lectures, see exhibits, and attend after parties. To see a full schedule of events and to order tickets, click here.

Art and film in Rotterdam, Netherlands

This winter, art and film take over Rotterdam in the Netherlands with two events you will not want to miss. Watch films by independent filmmakers, listen to enlightening debates, take in modern art, and drink up at fun after parties.

International Film Festival Rotterdam
January 25-February 5, 2012

The 41st International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) will be offering twelve days of films, exhibitions, debates, and parties. Along with showcasing talented and enjoyable works, IFFR also aims to help support independent filmmaking from around the world as well discover new talent. Interested in submitting a film? Click here. To learn more about attending and buying tickets, click here.

Art Rotterdam
February 9-12, 2012

Art Rotterdam is an international art fair for contemporary modern art. This lively event holds high standards for their artists, and the attendance of many of the top art galleries in the world has ensured its success. Attend events, peruse exhibits, and attend after parties. To learn more about tickets and events, click here.