What if the entire earth was the canvas for your art project?

In 1982, when he was just 22 years old, Ken Hiratsuka became obsessed with an idea. What if he began to carve a spiral at one point on the earth? If he didn't cross the line, could he go all the way around? He thought it might be like peeling an apple, and if he achieved his goal he would indeed be creating the world's largest sculpture. So in 1982, outside the Brooklyn house at 212 21st Street where he was hired as the super, he begin the spiral carving.

For 25 years Hiratsuka continued to carve directly into New York City's sidewalks, moving on to rocks around the world. He has carved public artworks in far away places including the Gobi Desert, Japan, Rio, Helsinki, China, and now Kenya. Though he has carved in 20 countries so far, Kenya is the first African nation where he has worked on the continuous monument.

The Oneline Planet, as Hiratsuka calls the project, is his life's work. His concept shows the interconnectedness of all human beings symbolized by the carving. He writes, "I want to inspire people to become more conscious of nature and our common humanity. No matter how lifestyles change, the basic self remains the same... We are all one."

Those who, like us, can't make it Kenya, can see Hiratsuka's work at 25 Bond Street in Manhattan or on the Northwest corner of Prince and Broadway.

[Images: Ken Hiratsuka]