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Daniel Arsham unveils ‘Light & Time’ installation for Hublot
American artist Daniel Arsham has partnered with Swiss watchmaker Hublot to create a temporary art installation titled ‘Light & Time’ in Zermatt, Switzerland. Unveiled on March 8, 2023, the installation is a 20m sundial embedded in the snow at an altitude of 2,853m, paying homage to land art and traditional timekeeping. This functional sculpture utilizes the shadows cast by the sun on a central quartz crystal-shaped obelisk to mark time. The design of the snow dial incorporates subtle relief patterns inspired by Hublot’s aesthetic, including the recognizable screws from the Big Bang watch bezel. The artwork is designed to be viewed from above, requiring visitors to use Zermatt’s ski lifts for optimal perspective.
The location in Zermatt, near the Matterhorn, was chosen for its natural beauty and connection to Hublot’s Swiss origins. Arsham's inspiration stemmed from his visit to the Hublot factory, where he considered an installation that would reflect the essence of time. He was particularly fascinated by sundials and decided to create one using ephemeral materials like ice and snow, emphasizing the transient nature of time and the artwork itself. This approach was a new venture for Arsham, requiring collaboration with the local mountain grooming team due to the unique properties of snow and ice as artistic mediums.
Arsham highlighted the interactive and evolving experience of the installation. Depending on the time of day and the viewer's movement, the ice catches and refracts light, creating dynamic visual effects reminiscent of the sapphire crystals used in Hublot watches. The artist's research into Hublot’s craftsmanship techniques, especially their use of sapphire crystal, significantly influenced the project. He noted the transformation of amorphous sapphire blobs into ultra-precise components at the factory, drawing parallels to alchemy and material transformation in his own work.
The collaboration with Hublot aimed to produce something distinctive and unprecedented. Arsham hinted at the possibility of future collaborations, including a potential wristwatch design, following this initial 'timekeeping object.' The project underscores the intersection of art, horology, and natural landscapes, offering a unique reflection on time, materiality, and the ephemeral. The installation serves as a testament to both Arsham's artistic vision and Hublot's commitment to innovative design and creative partnerships.
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