Françoise SCHEIN, The Time Zone Clock (2003). Coventry (England)

© valencogne

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The Time Zone Clock is a monumental permanent structure in Millenium Square, at the heart of Coventry’s commercial district. This massive timepiece consists of 24 bars set into the slate floor of the pedestrian square, which are lit from underneath. The hour of the day corresponds to the number of lit bars, while the minutes are kept by luminous dials at the end of each bar. On stainless steel circular plates around the bars are the names of the capital cities of the countries of the world, and the names of Coventry’s 26 sister cities. The clock’s blue neon lights animate the square as they record the passing time.
The notion of time zones evokes an image of straight, parallel lines, one beside the other. In contrast, the lines of the Time Zone Clock are curved and irregular: these are the familiar but imaginary lines that mark the geopolitical borders between the nations of the world. An important part of how people define themselves and are defined by others, these lines are often drawn on maps and documents, but do not exist on physical land itself. The Clock’s lines of light are slight curved outward (4 cm high by 20 cm long), giving the impression of the natural pleats in the earth, the way that the traces left on the sand by the movement of wind and water resemble waves of the ocean.
The 1,453 moving parts of this impressive piece are controlled by a adaptable computer program, which offers the possibility for performance groups or street artists to use the space as a backdrop for their work. Just near the square is a scaled version of the Time Zone Clock with an instrument panel which allows the visitor to light up and locate each of the big cities of the world on the map.