The Firebird

Artist: Niki de Sainte-Phalle

Address

420 S. Tryon St.
Charlotte, NC 28202

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The Firebird sculpture, located outside the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art in Charlotte, was created in 1991 by French-American artist Niki de Saint Phalle and installed in 2009. Nicknamed "Disco Chicken" by locals, the 17-foot-tall, 1,400-pound sculpture is covered in over 7,500 mirrored and colored glass pieces. It was purchased by museum founder Andreas Bechtler to be both iconic and approachable. Officially titled Le Grand Oiseau de Feu sur l’Arche ("Large Firebird on an Arch"), the piece has become one of Charlotte’s most beloved public artworks and a prominent Uptown landmark, often featured in media and local photo contests.