The spectator | Hemsidan

An interactive, life-sized seated figure by Olav Lunde, crafted from rusted iron. The sculpture features a hand-crank on the torso and adjustable mechanical joints, encouraging viewers to engage with its kinetic industrial design.

"The spectator"

Permanent Public Commission for Folkparken, Norrköping | 2015

Forged black steel and recycled machine parts

"The Spectator" is a collaborative work by Olav Lunde and Henrik Lunde-Björk, installed in a clearing in the popular Folkparken in Norrköping. Created in connection with the Disc Golf World Championship, the sculpture pays tribute to a frequently overlooked yet essential figure in all competitions—the one who watches.

With its slightly surreal, weathered presence, the figure invites curiosity. Who is he? Why is he here? The questions are open-ended, and the sculpture encourages visitors to explore them in their own way.

Designed to be physically and emotionally accessible, the piece includes an empty seat beside the spectator, inviting people to sit down, take a break, or share a moment with this enigmatic old man. The sculpture also functions as an automaton: turning a crank at his side activates subtle mechanical movements—his head turns, his moustache bobs—a poetic nod to Norrköping’s industrial past and our enduring relationship with machines.

Standing 160 cm tall and built entirely from recycled and repurposed machinery and iron tools, The Spectator honors both environmental responsibility and the beauty of worn materials given new life. Its robust construction ensures minimal maintenance and long-term durability.

The sculpture is designed with accessibility in mind: it is height-adjustable, emits mechanical sounds, and its tactile surfaces and forms aim to stimulate the imagination of a broad audience.

Commissioned by YMCA and Norrköping Municipality’s Department of Culture, "The Spectator" stands as a quiet, whimsical, and interactive figure, both companion and witness to everyday life in the park.

For commission inquiries, please contact the artist >

A young child sits on a mechanical, gear-topped stool next to Olav Lunde’s seated iron sculpture in a sunlit park, demonstrating the interactive and life-sized scale of the industrial artwork.

Olav Lunde's seated mechanical sculpture stands in a dimly lit workshop at night. The warm, low light catches the rusted textures of the figure’s top hat and slatted torso, surrounded by an anvil, heavy chains, and metalworking equipment.

Olav Lunde’s seated mechanical sculpture, wearing its signature metal top hat, is secured in the back of a utility trailer with bright orange ratchet straps. It sits positioned against a serene background of a Swedish lake and lush greenery.