«Boule d’Or Centenaire» - The Gold-Plated Century by Ball Dieter Meier.

The Gold-Plated Century Ball ("La Boule d'Or Centenaire") is displayed in an illuminated glass case in the floor of the concourse at Zurich main station, where it will stay for 100 years with the objective of drawing attention to nothingness and insignificance.

During those years, the ball will be taken out on the following eight dates and rolled 12 metres along a wooden gangway known as the “Bois du voyage d’or” as a demonstration of transience.

The “Boule d’Or Centenaire” will roll for the final time on 9 May 2108 before being handed over to the Swiss National Museum in Zurich.

  • 9 May 2008 (already happened)
  • 24 June 2008 (already happened)
  • 18 September 2016 (already happened)
  • 28 August 2033
  • 12 June 2064
  • 21 July 2082
  • 18 January 2097
  • 9 May 2108

Life and work of Dieter Meier.

Born in Zurich in 1945, Dieter Meier began his career as a performance artist and experimental filmmaker. His works have been showcased at film festivals and museums since 1969.

Together with Boris Blank, he founded the band YELLO in 1979, which is considered a pioneer of electronic pop music and has enjoyed success around the world. Dieter Meier’s music videos have won many awards and have featured in several collections (the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Museum for Modern Art in Zurich).

He has published numerous literary works, including “Hermes Baby. Geschichten und Essays” (stories and essays) in 2006, the children’s book “Oskar Tiger” in 2011, as well as “Out of chaos – ein autobiographisches Bilderbuch” (an autobiographical picture book) and the monograph “Works 1968-2011 and the Yello years” in the same year.

Dieter Meier divides his time between Hong Kong and Argentina, where he runs organic farms and nut plantations, breeds cattle and makes wine.

Goldene Kugel.

Further content

Replacements for Internet Explorer 11.

Microsoft is gradually discontinuing its support for Internet Explorer 11 (more info on microsoft.comLink opens in new window.). If you continue to use Internet Explorer to access SBB.ch, you may experience functional limitations and display problems in the future. For this reason, we recommend using a more modern browser (e.g. Mozilla FirefoxLink opens in new window.Google ChromeLink opens in new window.Microsoft EdgeLink opens in new window.).

We are aware that switching to a new browser may take some getting used to and cause some uncertainties. A more modern browser will allow you to benefit from faster and more secure internet access in future. We are committed to continuing our work with the utmost enthusiasm in the future to guarantee you accessible and inclusive access to SBB.ch.