Murinsel (Island in the Mur), Graz (must see)

New York artist Vito Acconci, creator of Murinsel, describes it as, "A bowl that morphs into a dome that morphs into a bowl." "Murinsel" means "Island in the Mur." It is an other-worldly steel and glass dome/bowl attached to the river banks by footbridges. It was built when Graz became the 2003 European Capital of Culture.

Vito's goal was to design an accessible floating island. It is more of a ship than an island. It is firmly anchored to the riverbed and moored to each bank of the river by footbridges. The form is twisted and curved. It looks like a partially opened sea shell.

As visitors emerge from the footbridges they reach an open amphitheater, Sky blue benches rise up the sides of the amphitheater. They are curved in flowing layers, mimicking the river below. Under the glass dome walkways and tunnels swirl around the inner shell, connecting to the footbridges.

There is a blue and white cafe awaiting visitors. But first, the is a three dimensional maze featuring an array of ropes and a slide. What is an island without ropes and a slide?

The insel reconnects the river to the city. It is an island of "riparian delights" glowing blue in the night.