Helianthus is a sundial and garden that explores the spiritual, physical and mythological nature of the relationship between water and the sun. From the top of staircase, one can view the garden and landscape. Commissioned by and installed at Stone Quarry Art Park in Cazenovia, NY.
Stones, wood, plant materials—nicotiana, sunflowers, morning glory vines.
Overall dimensions: 12’ x 70’ x 50’
Cultivus Loci - Helianthus, 1994
Helianthus explores the sun’s spiritual, physical and mythological nature is inspired by the mythical relationship between Clytie, a water nymph, and Apollo, the sun God. Every day Apollo would pass Clytie in his arc through the sky, paying her no mind. Clytie would lift her face and trace his arching path. She eventually stared so long that her feet began to root into the ground and her face became a sunflower, forever turning on its stem to look at the sun. The entire piece functions as a sundial. The stairwell acts as the gnomon, or the object which casts the shadow, and the piles of stones around the edges of the garden mark the hour.
The staircase itself is wider at the bottom and narrows into a platform large enough for one person at the top, which ensured each viewer would have the chance for a solitary experience with the sun.
Side view showing the nicotiana (white flowers), sunflowers and the stone piles which indicate the hours of the day.
