Time Within The Hour
2003
Commission for the Renal Care Unit,
Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle
L. 32m approx
Neon, stainless steel, associated electronics components

In being located in the waiting area to this Care Unit, it is the intention that this sculpture celebrates and animates time in ways that relieve the tension and apprehension of those awaiting treatment. The sculpture is suspended from the roof of the atrium by 2mm, stainless steel cables. Attached to the cables are sixteen stainless steel rings, on their outsides are neon rings – 850mm diameter. Four neon rings are red, four yellow, four blue and four green. These respond to the quarterly sequences of the hour. In the first quarter of the hour the red lights up, then green in the second quarter, then blue and finally yellow in the fourth quarter of the hour. At two minutes to the hour the neon begins to oscillate, making a column of modulated coloured light, which runs the entire length of the sculpture. On the hour, the neon is extinguished for one minute.