'Myth (Sphinx)—Kate Moss'

Oslo is a city teeming with public art, and one of its more unusual pieces can be found tucked away in a downtown passage. Since 2009, Myth (Sphinx)—Kate Moss, a 10-foot (three-meter) bronze sculpture of the British supermodel, painted in stark white and posed in a provocative yoga stance, has drawn considerable attention. In this sculpture, Moss—dressed only in a bikini—appears with her ankles contorted around her ears.

Created by London-based artist Marc Quinn, the work is based on Moss’s body, though another model posed for the final position. Quinn wanted to capture an idealized icon, not a literal likeness of flesh and blood, and he cast Moss as a modern-day Sphinx, summoning the myth of her ancient Egyptian namesake.

The Oslo Heritage Office has unsuccessfully tried to remove the statue for over a decade, arguing that its imposing size disrupts the open feel of the historical passage. In contrast, the artwork’s owner, Christian Ringnes—heir to a brewing fortune—believes it should stay. He argues that the sculpture enhances the passage’s appeal and is fully in harmony with its protected status.

In 2008, a life-sized version of the sculpture, cast in 18-carat gold and titled Siren, was displayed at the British Museum in London, placed intriguingly beside classical statues from antiquity.