A Ray of Light into the Past, 2022
12 solar modules in the shape of numbers on the porch roof, LED light object in the foyer, stainless steel construction, LEDs, 92 × 715 cm
The two-part installation consists of 12 solar module digits on the canopy and a light object in the foyer of the Wolfgang Borchert School in Berlin. The LEDs are directly connected to the solar panels on the canopy and only light up when sunlight hits the digits, varying in brightness depending on the intensity of the sunlight — sometimes brighter, sometimes dimmer, or not at all.
While the digits on the canopy represent the average distance between the Earth and the Sun as one Astronomical Unit (1 AU = 149,597,870,700 metres), the light object inside the school refers to the time it takes for light to travel from the Sun to the Earth, which is 8 minutes and 19 seconds.
The negative time indication is intended to encourage viewers to think about the connections between time, simultaneity, the past and transience beyond physical quantities. Everything we see is a glimpse into the past, albeit a very brief one. When we observe the Moon, we see it as it was 1.28 seconds ago. Or, to put it another way: If the Sun were to stop shining now, we would only notice it after 8 minutes and 19 seconds.
While the digits on the canopy represent the average distance between the Earth and the Sun as one Astronomical Unit (1 AU = 149,597,870,700 metres), the light object inside the school refers to the time it takes for light to travel from the Sun to the Earth, which is 8 minutes and 19 seconds.
The negative time indication is intended to encourage viewers to think about the connections between time, simultaneity, the past and transience beyond physical quantities. Everything we see is a glimpse into the past, albeit a very brief one. When we observe the Moon, we see it as it was 1.28 seconds ago. Or, to put it another way: If the Sun were to stop shining now, we would only notice it after 8 minutes and 19 seconds.
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