03/07/2023
A recent decision taken to rename the Berkeley library in Trinity College Dublin due to George Berkeley’s association with slavery, was not about “cancelling Berkeley as a writer, philosopher and intellectual historical figure” according to a report in the Irish Times.
Standing proudly on the podium of the iconic brutalist Berkeley Library is Sfera con sfera ('Sphere within sphere'). Properly part of Trinity College Dublin's Art Collections rather than a Library treasure, this sculpture by renowned Italian artist Arnaldo Pomodoro is, however, intrinsically linked to the Library. The 'Pomodoro sphere', as it is known locally, acts as a meeting point, photo backdrop and point of interest for thousands of students, staff and tourists as they move through Trinity's beautiful campus.