Czech sculptor David Černý, a rebellious artist known for his pink Soviet tank in Prague, is resurfacing as his Metalmorphosis fountain becomes popular again. Metalmorphosis is a mirrored water fountain found at the Whitehall Technology Park in Charlotte, North Carolina.
courtesy of David Černý
But this isn’t your average chubby baby or marble dolphin fountain; this is a colossal, stainless steel head that spits water into the pond it sits in. If you watch the fountain long enough, you might even get to see the seven horizontal segments rotate 360 degrees until the face is an unrecognizable miss-match of reflective features. This giant stainless steel monument was originally unveiled in 2007 but has regained the attention of art-enthusiasts recently.
courtesy of David Černý
The fourteen tons of steel layers then realign to create the anonymous head and continue to spout water from its mouth, as if it didn’t just have its nose facing the opposite direction of its eyes.
courtesy of David Černý
This fountain is bizarre to say the least, but poses an interesting take on identity and how we feel when we lose it. The perpetual rotation of the head and the way it reflects the mood of the sky says a lot about how our atmosphere can affect our outlook. Černý comments on this, “This is how I feel; it is a mental self-portrait.” Metalmorphosis can be seen in Charlotte, North Carolina or on the 24/7 webcam that is pointed at the fountain at all times of the day.
courtesy of David Černý
Project info :
Sculptor: David Černý
Year: 2007
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Anastasia Andreieva is an accomplished Architectural Projects Editor at Arch2O, bringing a unique blend of linguistic expertise and design enthusiasm to the team. Born and raised in Ukraine, she holds a Master’s degree in Languages from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Her deep passion for architecture and visual storytelling led her to transition from translation and editorial roles into the world of design media. With a keen eye for conceptual clarity and narrative structure, Anastasia curates and presents global architectural projects with precision and flair. She is particularly drawn to parametric and digital design, cultural context, and emerging voices in architecture. When I’m not analyzing the latest architectural trends, you’ll probably find me searching for hidden gems in cityscapes or appreciating the beauty of well-crafted spaces. After all, great design—like great connections—can be found in the most unexpected places. Speaking of connections, because architecture isn’t the only thing that brings people together.