Apple Mirage

Mirage, a commissioned sculpture for Apple Park’s olive grove, consists of a collection of 448 individual cast cylinders, containing sustainably collected sand from 70 deserts across the world. These cylinders are configured in a wave-like form, mimicking desert dunes, and stand at a height of 2400mm with a diameter of 150mm. Each of these soda lime glass cylinders has its own completely bespoke sand composition, which not only creates the unique colors and textures of the installation but also imparts a strong material presence to the sculpture. In doing so, Mirage is in perfect harmony with its natural surroundings, connecting to the elements and reflecting the environment.

To showcase the glass cylinders while also ensuring stability and longevity within the seismic zone of California, our Glass team engineered a stainless steel cassette frame system. The system has been designed to be buried underground to protect the glass from contact with the soil, whilst allowing the glass to subtly melt into the landscape, like a desert mirage. The configuration allows the cylinders to be placed closely together with a 15mm gap which is a key design feature of this project, whilst also making it simple to replace individual cylinders as needed.