Norra skenet: The stainless steel sculpture at Umeå University

Norra skenet, a stainless steel public art sculpture by Swedish artist Ernst Nordin, adorns the Umeå University campus. Raised in 1969 following a sculpture competition held in 1967, the work resembles the Aurora Borealis through a diagonal composition of welded rectangular steel pipes and built-in spotlights.

Due to the construction of the Teachers' Training Hall, the sculpture was moved to its current location close to the University Dam in 1995. Umeå University makes use of the sculpture as a symbol in its marketing materials.

Following its inauguration, Norra skenet became the subject of controversy when Finnish sculptor Eila Hiltunen alleged that its design too closely resembled her Sibelius Monument. Although she raised these claims, she ultimately chose not to pursue legal action.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons