The Mall’s Balls

Visited the Mall’s Balls at different times of the day, sunrise, daytime and night time, different each visit.

I wonder if I can write a review of the Malls Balls without using any sexual innuendos?
Opps, I already have.
Anyway, you gotta love these big round metallic things that sit prominently to one end on Rundle Mall (but not too far to the end as to add more evidence as to the mind of the person who created them) that seem to attract all sorts of people because if you live in Adelaide you know about them and you know where they are. Some times I wonder if these objects are actually recording the history of this city as there have been many different groups who seem to congregate around it, even if to simply meet and then wonder off to some other unknown destination.
As for me, well these things have always been here and when I heard a rumour that they were going to be removed I literally went into a panic. I simply could not imagine Adelaide being the same without this structure because it literally defines the place. For some reason, ever since I heard that I have always made an effort to make sure that they are still there.
Maybe that has something to do with my masculinity?
At least I know now that they are here to stay (and thus I breathed a sigh of relief).

I think the most commonly uttered phrase by an Adelaidian in their life would have to be «I’ll meet you at the balls.»
The balls have been a shining beacon of hope that any Adelaidian with a dream and a lack of sense of direction can meet up with their fellow man in the busiest mall in our state. The balls welcomes all, from new love to old love, blind dates to friends or even awkward buskers wailing at the top of their voice.
They too have caused many a controversy in their time! Like when Rundle Mall Management Authority and the City Council threatened to move the balls and the whole of Adelaide was in shock and and terrified that they wouldn’t be able to meet up in the mall any more for fear of not having a meeting place.
Only in Adelaide would one shiny ball sitting atop the other be used in tourism campaigns, Fruchocs ads and to represent «the centre of the city». But you know you aren’t truly a South Aussie until you have also uttered those 6 words… «I’ll meet you at the balls.»

Big, shinny, round and easy to find — what more could you want from balls? Or from a local attraction for that matter?!
The malls balls are an institution and the easiest and best meeting spot in the Adelaide CBD. Take your tourist friends for they are indeed a sight to see!
Once regularly surrounded by preachers, this seems to be a thing of the past and the balls are now, once again a visitor friendly location for all!

The Torrens, The Pie Floater, Adelaide Oval, The Central Market. All synonymous with Adelaide and Adelaidians. All important parts of Adelaide’s rich innovative and bohemian past, present, and perhaps future. However none of these physical and cultural South Australian icons can match The Mall’s Balls for accessibility, simplicity and maybe even popularity.
Any newcomer to Adelaide would take one look at the map and argue that Victoria Square is the centre, and heart of Adelaide. For geographical purposes they would be largely correct. Unfortunately for visitors, there is no one to tell them The Mall’s Balls (or «The Silver Balls» as I was brought up calling them) are in fact the heart of Adelaide.
As a child I never felt as though we had truly reached «the city» until I had seen the Balls. As I got older, I would be one of the many using the Balls as a meeting place. Before too long I and many other Adelaidians would watch as «Emos» dressed in mostly black would meet there even on the hotter summer days, their makeup struggling in the heat. During the most recent summer nights an entirely different social group began gathering; with some controversy religious «Street Preachers» urged others to change their ways. Who knows which bizarre and intriguing group will next descend on the balls.
More than just a meeting place, the Balls are an important way-​point on any great Adelaide adventure. Heading from the cricket at Adelaide oval to the bars and cafes of Rundle Street, it’s best to pass the balls. On a Friday night after a few drinks at any of the East End pubs, who can resist a walk up past the balls and buskers in the mall on the way to Hindley Street? Recently I took part in a «no pants tram ride» which culminated in a group photo in front of the balls. Whether it’s during the Fringe, Clipsal, Adelaide Festival or any of the countless other art and food celebrations Adelaide regularly hosts, more often than not a trip past the balls will be on the agenda.
As well as being a physical way-​point, the Mall’s Balls or «Spheres» as they were entitled by creator Bert Flugelman are also an integral part of Adelaide’s cultural journey. Being installed only four years after the completion of Australia’s first dedicated multipurpose arts venue, the Adelaide Festival Centre in 1973, the balls are a lasting example of Adelaide’s ability to accept and embrace new art in all it’s forms. A tradition continued today in Adelaide’s many arts festivals.
Whether you’re young or old, mod or rocker, from Port Pirie or Pirie Street, goth or emo, footballer or flautist, hipster or bogan, visiting Adelaide for the first time or have been here longer than the Spheres themselves, you’re bound to see a bit of yourself in the Mall’s Balls.

Every true Adelaidean loves the Mall’s Balls

I was first introduced to the ‘malls balls’ when my partner on our second date proposed we meet at ‘the balls’ on the mall. Which made me think oh dear what kind of place are we meeting for lunch?
But it turned out their an Adelaide institution! I arrived and it seemed everyone was meeting at the balls. I found him though, and I had a cheeky look in the mirrored balls to check I was still nicely tarted up.
Its a great place to meet someone, just explain to out of towner’s what the balls are.

A signature icon of the mall and South Australia. The mall’s balls are very well known and stand out in the bustling shopping precinct.

Laugh or cry, these balls are an Adelaide icon. Yes I could go on and on with references to balls-​this and balls-​that, but I’m too sophisticated to bother.
Located in the pedestrian Rundle Mall (THIS is how K Street Mall in Sacramento should look like!), these balls are so famous they ended up in a Ben Folds song properly entitled «Adelaide.» I know you won’t bother to look up the lyrics, so here you go:
«Rundle Mall
Watching as the locals pass
Silver balls
I can see their eyes are round
They’re pointed down
They scan the spanning sidewalks
Learning that there is no hurry
Fuss or worry
Adelaide»
I have a bad sense of direction, so I generally know which way I’m headed according to where the Malls Balls are…

The left one always hangs lower than the right.
Proof that the city of Adelaide is actually a male, The Mall’s Balls are an icon for the city. I guess we don’t have much, but these massive, metallic, chrome balls that seem to be perfectly balanced with one on top of the other.
Many people hit the balls, not too hard, only softly, with care…
They sound hollow, but I wonder what’s in their?
Doomsday device anyone?
Who’s seen Gantz?

The malls balls are a mystery to most Adelaidians who show off these shiny nigh phallac symbols with a huge amount of pride.
A place for preening emo fringes and meeting friends for shopping/​coffee or maybe a date (not recommended for a date as you can look quite odd in the reflection), the malls balls are a shining beacon to the groin of Australia, Adelaide.
We are tough, unlike Melbourne with their purses. pfft.

«Meet at the Mall’s Balls», is the most common phrase you’ll hear in reference to this confusing sculpture down the Rundle Mall precinct.
Located around the middle of the mall, it is a regular meeting place for shopping adventures. Although when I first started venturing to the city and was informed to meet at these «balls» I had no idea what the hell they were. And to be honest, I still have no idea what they are other than big, shiny, silver and apparently art.
So basically this is for newcomers being told to meet at these balls, simply find rundle mall and walk towards the middle until you see the two large testicular balls just sitting in between the mall.

The Malls got Balls.
They were taken away for a while for maintenance and it’s like the soul was ripped out of the shopping strip. No one knew where to meet up with friends instead of meeting at the balls it was «let’s meet up where the balls used to be».
Rundle Mall had been castrated… it was horrific.
Happily, they’re back, shiny and new, chillin’ out front of David Jones s they should be, making the world a more metallic place and blinding you when the sun hits just the right level in the sky.
I don’t know how they got there, or who made them, I don’t think many people do to be honest. I’m not sure if they were meant to have some sort of sexual connotation but if you live in the gutter like me, I’m sure you can find a lot of innuendo material there.

Hahahaha. There are reviews on this? Love it!
Where in the world are the mall’s balls? Well, this is actually a popular quiz question for places outside of South Australia. Believe it or not.
Other than being a c-​grade celebrity during national quiz nights, these balls serve purpose as a popular meeting place among Adelaidians. And this was even more so the case back when mobile phones were non-​existent. That’s right kids, apparently there was a time when citizens didn’t carry phones in their pockets. Crazy.
For those interested in the history, these silver spectaculars were sculptured by some dude called Bert Flugelman, and were donated by the Hindmarsh Building Society to commence its centenary on 5^th October 1977.
The mall’s balls are definitely an Adelaide icon, and my interstate friends were definitely amused the first time they saw these. The tourist is them was taking photos and all; it is pretty uplifting to see the happiness two silver balls in the heart of the city can bring.
Rundle Mall just wouldn’t be the same without them.

Potentially the most iconic, and surprisingly testicular, landmark in the whole of SA. Perhaps, if limited to the testicular portion, also the World.
The Malls Balls as they are refered to in popular Adelaidian culture, is a work from the late seventies by Viennese/​Australian sculptor and former lecturer at the South Australian School of Art Bert Flugelman.
Entitled «Shperes,» the sculpture consists of two stainless steel balls stacked on top of each other, about 4m high in total. The balls sit midway down Adelaide’s central strip Rundle Mall and are a common meeting place, especially with youngsters.
Aside from humourous genital connotations, there is little else spectacular about the Malls Balls. Of Flugleman’s major works located in other states throughout Australia, they retain the geometric nature but, unfortunately none of the testicularity.

You can find some pretty interesting things in Rundle Mall. And I don’t just mean in terms of people. Apart from the rather odd pigs, there’s the balls. If anyone knows if they have some sort of meaning please share. It’s still one of those unsolved mysteries that preoccupy my mind everytime I see them.
That said, which other city has two balls as its icon?! None that I’ve been to so far. Pretty cool.