The sculpture contains exactly 47,000 individual mirrored tiles.
It was commissioned as part of the 2002 'Great Promenade Show' arts project.
The design is technically a geodesic sphere, a structure composed of interlocking triangles.
The artwork is situated specifically to capture the low-angle winter sunlight, which causes it to sparkle across the promenade.
Local residents often refer to the sculpture as the 'Dazzle Ball' due to its reflective properties.
The Mirror Ball is a large-scale outdoor sculpture located on the South Promenade in Blackpool. Designed by artist Michael Trainor, the structure measures six meters in diameter and is covered in 47,000 mirrored glass tiles. It is permanently installed as part of the Great Promenade Show, a collection of public artworks stretching along the coastline. The installation is designed to reflect the movement of the tide, the changing sky, and the lights of the nearby Blackpool Pleasure Beach. It weighs approximately 3,000 kilograms and is constructed to withstand the harsh coastal weather conditions of the Irish Sea. The sculpture functions as a kinetic visual element that changes appearance depending on the angle of sunlight and the observer's position.
From the promenade path directly in front of the ball, using a wide-angle lens to capture both the sculpture and the horizon line.
Bring a microfiber cloth if you intend to take close-up photos, as sea spray often leaves salt residue on the tiles.
Check the tide charts before visiting to see the sculpture reflected against the backdrop of the Irish Sea at high tide.
Walk around the entire circumference to see how the distortion of the surrounding landscape changes from different angles.
Do not attempt to climb or touch the structure, as the mirrored tiles can have sharp edges if damaged and the surface is fragile.
