Gwanghwamun Landmark 'Hammering Man' Celebrates 20th Birthday

One Hammer Strike Every 35 Seconds... Resembling the Image of a Working Human

A view of the 'Hammering Man' in front of the Heungkuk Life Building in Gwanghwamun, Seoul (Photo by Taekwang Group)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The "Hammering Man," operated and managed by the Taekwang Group Sehwa Arts and Culture Foundation, celebrated its 20th birthday, the foundation announced on the 7th.

The Hammering Man, which turned 20 on the 4th, was installed in 2002 next to the Heungkuk Life Insurance Building in Gwanghwamun, Seoul. It has established itself as a landmark symbolizing the Gwanghwamun area amidst the rigid urban environment. This series by American sculptor Jonathan Borofsky was first exhibited in New York, USA, in 1979 with a 3.4-meter tall Hammering Man. Since then, installations have been placed in Seattle, Dallas, California, Minneapolis, Gainesville, LA, Frankfurt, Basel, Lillestrøm, Nagoya, and other cities. Among the series installed in a total of 11 cities, the Hammering Man in Gwanghwamun stands 22 meters tall and weighs 50 tons, boasting the largest stature in the world.

During the summer season, the Hammering Man hammers once every 35 seconds from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays. It does not operate on weekends and public holidays, so the hammering can only be seen on weekdays. The figure repeatedly bends its neck and carefully and slowly strikes the hammer downward with its right hand, resembling the daily labor of a working person. Sculptor Jonathan Borofsky, known for installing sculptures in public spaces and in front of buildings in cities worldwide, drew inspiration for the Hammering Man from a story about a kind giant his musician father told him in childhood. In 1976, he sketched the Hammering Man based on a photograph of a Tunisian cobbler hammering.

To celebrate the Hammering Man’s 20th birthday, the Sehwa Arts and Culture Foundation plans to hold cultural events. Those who leave birthday congratulatory messages for the Hammering Man on the SNS accounts operated by the Sehwa Museum of Art will receive commemorative gifts. A Taekwang Group official said, "We hope this celebration of the Hammering Man’s birthday will be an opportunity to reflect on the artwork’s history and meaning."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.