The sculpture was initially met with public controversy and skepticism from local media upon its 1977 installation.
The official name, 'The Spheres', is rarely used by locals, who universally refer to it as the 'Mall's Balls'.
The spheres were manufactured in a factory in the Adelaide suburb of Kilburn.
The metal surface requires periodic specialized polishing to maintain its mirror-like finish against weathering and contact.
It is one of several public artworks created by Bert Flugelman installed across Australia, including 'Tetrahedron' in Sydney.
The Mall's Balls, officially titled 'The Spheres', is a large-scale stainless steel sculpture created by Australian artist Bert Flugelman in 1977. Located in the heart of Rundle Mall, it consists of two polished spheres stacked vertically on a central axis. The sculpture has become a defining symbol of Adelaide's retail district and serves as a primary meeting point for locals. Constructed from highly reflective grade 316 stainless steel, the spheres capture distortions of the surrounding cityscape. It stands approximately four meters tall and weighs over two tonnes. The installation was originally commissioned to celebrate the 1977 opening of Rundle Mall as a pedestrian precinct. It remains a permanent fixture of the public space, maintained by the city council as a cultural landmark.
Position yourself at a low angle from the side to capture the distorted reflection of the surrounding shops and sky within the spheres.
Visit during early morning hours to capture photos without crowds of shoppers blocking the frame.
Look for the sculpture's reflection to see a distorted, wide-angle panoramic view of the Rundle Mall architecture.
Use the location as a central navigation anchor when meeting friends in the city center.
Do not attempt to climb or lean heavily on the sculpture, as it is a protected cultural asset and surface damage can occur.
