The Golem, known by its nickname the Mifletzet (Hebrew for 'Monster'), is a large sculpture placed in a little park in Kiryat Yovel neighborhood, Jerusalem. The sculpture is made of concrete and serves as a children's slide. A twisting set of stairs leads to the head of the monster where, from its mouth, three red slides stretch out to the sand surrounding it from below
The Monster, which is made of molded cement, was created between 1971 and 1972 by Niki de Saint Phalle, a Jewish-French artist. The park in which the Monster is placed is called the Rabinovich Park, named after the person who donated the money to build the elaborate sculpture. According to the artist, the sculpture represents feminist ideas - the monster signifies a fleshy large woman that reigns over the park yet manages to keep a pleasant atmosphere in it, and in so doing, shatters the Western World's image of the fragile woman. At the back of the monster there is a hole from which the children come out as they climb the sculpture, by this the artist wanted to suggest an act of giving birth. The Monster Park is situated on a crossroads in the center of Kiryat Yoval neighborhood that leads to the Hadassa Ein Kerem Hospital, and is a green breathing space in the midst of an urban area. There are other rides in the park but the main attraction is the Monster.
|