November 24th, 2007
Uta Barth’s photographs are on view at Tanya Bonakdar Gallery in an exhibit titled ‘Sundial’.
From the press release:
“Conceived as pictures of light, the photographs that make up Sundial trace the effect of the sun’s movement as natural light falls and moves across the interior spaces of the artist’s home over the course of the day, on different days throughout the year. These photographs were primarily taken at dusk, when the last play of light begins to erase itself and the illuminated world is put to rest, when objects are caught in beams of light and cast their quickly fading shadows on walls, ceilings and floors. The resulting images are still, silent and slow. They are occasionally interrupted by the drifting optical afterimages produced by prolonged staring into the light, inverted visions our eyes can see, yet the camera cannot, a place where logic begins to slip and unexpected associations are made.”
November 19th, 2007
At the American Museum of Natural History, a huge armillary sphere hangs from the ceiling of the Columbus Street entrance. Traditional armillaries were used to demonstrate the motion of celestial bodies as viewed from Earth. This sculpture was designed with the Milky Way galaxy at its center and positioned to demonstrate New York City’s galactic address-its precise location-on January 1, 2000. Designed by Moey, Inc. and fabricated by ART.
November 8th, 2007
Wow: a sundial that displays the time, not by throwing a shadow on a set of lines, but in plainly readable digits. The dial functions from 8:00 to 5.55 hr, in 5 minute steps, with a smooth transition from one reading to the next. The sundial has been invented by Hans Scharstein and Werner Krotz-Vogel (Germany) and Daniel Scharstein (USA). More info.
November 6th, 2007
At 9:40 – 9:50 in the first week of November (standard time), the tip of the gnomon’s shadow intersects a noteworthy section of glacial rock. This large rock protrudes from the pavement in the parking lot where 12th Street intersects 44th Avenue.
November 4th, 2007
The path of the New York City Marathon passes through the Long Island City Sundial at about miles 14 and 15, just before the Queensborough Bridge.
Leading men approach the LIC sundial gnomon.
Leading women, Paula Radcliffe and Gete Wami, emerge from the sundial shadow as the pass the gnomon.
November 2nd, 2007
Excerpt from Saginaw Valley Sate U website, about a Summer solstice event:
Nancy Holt (b. 1938) has created more than 30 monumental site-specific public sculptures around the U.S. and beyond since 1970. Most orient the viewer to the sun, moon, and stars, enhancing our perception of nature and ultimately of ourselves. Some are in remote desert locations where the arduous journey to view the sculpture becomes part of the art. She has also made films and videos. In addition, she has published extensively about her art, other contemporary site-specific sculptures, and Earthworks or Land Art (i.e., generally colossal alterations or additions to the environment, some of which reclaim pit mines, landfills, or other areas devastated by industrialization).
Sun Tunnels – more info
Sky Mound, Meadowlands of Hackensack, New Jersey, more info
