Wednesday 1 December 2010

Hornsby, water clock (Theme Day: Time)

"Man, Time and the Environment", also known as the Hornsby Water Clock or Hornsby Water Sculpture is a fusion of kinetic sculpture, decorative fountain, musical instrument and a functional clock. It is located in Hornsby Mall, a pedestrian mall in Florence Street, in the northern suburb of Hornsby. This work, unveiled in 1993, was created by Australian sculptor Victor Cusack from cast bronze, stainless steel, and toughened plate glass. It is approximately 8 metres tall and weighs 20 tonnes, including the pontoon which rotates one revolution every 12 hours as a pointer sweeps past Roman numerals on the fountain’s perimeter, with the mechanisms driven by water. Time is represented by three types of water-powered clocks, a 4th century BC Greek clepsydra, an 11th century Chinese water wheel clock and a 17th century Swiss pendulum clock, plus a 17-note bronze tubular bell carillon that rings the hour based on a design found in an 18th century English church. Environment is represented by sculpted forms of the fauna of Hornsby Shire from the rainbow lorikeet, to the blue tongue lizard, the fruit bat and possum. The clock face bears the inscription "Dare We Forget" as a reminder of the importance of preserving the environment. Man is represented by the figure of a woman and a child.

29 comments:

  1. Awesome, love it! Enjoy the rest of the week!

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  2. A fantastic combination of many important things.
    I'll have to come back to Australia to see it.

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  3. I can see those elements of Kinetics fusion in it ...

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  4. What an interesting clock! I see a Steampunk theme!

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  5. Spectacular is the least to say - love it :)

    http://budapestcityphoto.wordpress.com/

    http://lundcityphoto.wordpress.com/

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  6. That is a fascinating and complex structure. Thank you.

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  7. Thanks for sharing this very cool sculpture. I love seeing it as a whole but I also love that you showed us some of the detail up close. Great entry!

    Kat
    http://inmydreamssfk.blogspot.com/

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  8. I don't necessarily think the water clock is beautiful, but the idea of public sculpture is important. Especially in a place often crowded with people going about their daily business.

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  9. Jim - thanks for visiting over at my blog --- am enjoying exploring your fascinating site and learning all about your marvelous city!! this clock looks like the ultimate rube goldberg contraption - amazing!

    p.s. LOVE the fotos of the jacaranda trees in a previous post......

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  10. that is one impressive creation!! I'd probably be gawking at it for hours if I'm infront of it. great shots too!

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  11. What an amazing sculpture, and obviously the sculpture has a vast knowledge about his materials to put this all together and make it work!

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  12. What a fascinating device, I could spend a day taking pictures of all its details!

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  13. Very interesting post and the photo is amazing!

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  14. Another gorgeous picture by an excellent photographer like you. Congratulations.

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  15. Fantastical. Great photographs of the work as always.

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  16. PRAISING WATER

    Water here and water there,
    Water, water everywhere!
    Water to restore the soul,
    Water in a cup or bowl;
    Water gushing in the sink,
    Water clear or dark as ink;
    Water in the stream and bog,
    Water for the newt and frog;
    Water to refresh the wheat,
    Water washing dusty feet;
    Water chasers everywhere
    With loud praises do declare
    That there is no finer thing—
    Water is both queen and king!


    © 2010 by Magical Mystical Teacher

    Watery Canvas

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  17. Cool! That's quite the creation. You explain it quite well, too. Cheers!

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