ON A SCROLL

AN ARTISTIC EXPRESSION of cultural tolerance and exchange, British artist Gerry Judah’s The Scroll is likely to create a few lasting impressions. Standing 36 metres high, the unfurling sculpture was unveiled in April to celebrate Sharjah’s designation as the 2019 UNESCO World Book Capital.

Made of 72 tonnes of steel and 240 tonnes of concrete foundations, the sculpture soars towards the sky in a single spiral. Judah took inspiration from the unifying power of books for the design of the monument. “It was influenced by the early form of the written word, and represents the long-lasting significance of books and reading to cultural heritage,” he explains.

The structure appears to be light, yet is strong enough to withstand the desert winds, thanks to a technique of monocoque construction developed by Judah and a team of engineer at Diales.

Fittingly, The Scroll will sit across from the Foster + Partners-designed House of Wisdom, a modern library and culture centre, set to open next year.