Bubbles are released into the air to mark each hour, while a familiar waltz is also played on the hour.
The sundial was precisely calculated to the coordinates of Chiswick House Exedra and laid out as an ellipse measuring 20m by 7m, with stone spheres used to mark the hours. Each sphere weighs 20kg and is held in place with concealed heavy duty steel plates.
In order to fully experience the installation, visitors are asked to stand on a central series of flag stones engraved with the months of the year. The shadow they cast points towards the actual time of day, positioning them within the Earth’s daily and yearly cycle around the sun.
“Links Signs were honoured to be asked to work on another public art project with Mark Wallinger and the great team at Chiswick House,” Links Signs’ managing director Tony Kidby says.
It was a memorable and fantastic experience”
“We have had the pleasure of working with Mark before on the iconic Labyrinth project on the London Underground in 2013 and we jumped at the opportunity to sponsor this project for him at Chiswick House.
“It was a complicated brief and the creation of the sundial on site required measuring that truly tested our mathematical abilities. It was a memorable and fantastic experience.”
Forming part of the Bring into Being experimental?programme?of art commissions, events, and workshops to mark the re-opening of Chiswick House, the installation opened on May 27th and will remain in place until October 31st.
Xanthe Arvanitakis, director of Chiswick House and Gardens Trust, adds: “We knew we were in safe hands with the Links Signs team who have vast experience with installing public art.
“Working closely with our curator Mariam Zulfiqar and the artist Mark Wallinger, the team have installed an artwork which is both delightfully interactive and thought-provoking. It’s a fantastic addition to our visitor experience.”