“Time is of the essence”, ever heard that saying? Well, here at the Daylight Savings Time Sculpture, time is not only of the essence. It’s an art form.
The Daylight Savings Time Sculpture stands as a testament to artistic innovation. It also represents the collaboration and complications inherent in public art. Let’s delve into the story of this unique timepiece.
Jack Nelson, a Syracuse University artist, created the Sculpture Clock. It was originally dedicated in 1968. The location was in front of the Young-Quinlan Building. That’s at Ninth Street and Nicollet Avenue. Later, it moved to the southeast corner of Eleventh Street. That’s near Peavey Plaza and Orchestra Hall.
Nelson was known for his kinetic sculptural assemblages. His work often included moving parts and found objects. Think doll parts, lights, and sounds.
The Sculpture Clock wasn’t Nelson’s first collaboration with Lawrence Halprin Associates. They had previously worked together in Syracuse, New York. Thomas E. Brown, a principal at Halprin’s firm, admired Nelson’s work. He proposed a “sculpture clock apparatus” for the NorthPark Center in Dallas. However, that project didn’t materialize.
Brown saw another opportunity in Minneapolis. He envisioned a similar clock for Nicollet Mall. In 1964, he wrote to Nelson. He invited him to create a “mate to the Northgate clock”.
Nelson embraced the idea. He wanted to create a sculpture that responded to its environment. He envisioned horizontal movements reflecting traffic and pedestrian flow.
The design process involved challenges. The city needed to approve the project. Also, contractors had to be secured. Halprin emphasized the need for a unified aesthetic. He wanted a sophisticated piece that complemented the overall clock concept.
The project faced delays and bureaucratic hurdles. Funding issues arose. Despite these challenges, the Minneapolis City Council authorized Nelson’s contract in 1967.
The Downtown Council played a crucial role. They provided an advance to Nelson. This allowed him to purchase materials and begin construction. Peerless Electric fabricated the clock and its case.
After a year of work, the Sculpture Clock was dedicated on October 7, 1968. It featured over 500 separate pieces. These were assembled into a unique artwork.
The clock stood 16 feet high. It had four clock faces made by Peerless Electric Company. Inside the base, a perpetual motion mobile moved. Four small motors powered it. Nelson designed and installed the mobile.
The Sculpture Clock became an iconic landmark on Nicollet Mall. People loved it over the years. Rosemarie McDonald, a Mall resident, advocated for its return. She found it fascinating to watch people stop and watch it perform.
In 2014, the city surveyed people about public art. Almost everyone believed the Sculpture Clock added to its location. People said that it was useful as a clock. It was also a landmark.
However, the Sculpture Clock fell into disrepair. By 2016, it was in poor condition. The motors stopped working. The metal corroded.
Kristin Cheronis, a conservator, assessed the artwork. She said it included a street clock and a kinetic sculpture. The sculpture contained over 800 parts.
Cheronis proposed a restoration plan. The cost was estimated at $261,000. The Minneapolis Arts Commission supported the project.
The city received a grant from the Minnesota Historical Society. This enabled the restoration to begin. Cheronis assembled a team of specialists. They disassembled, repaired, and polished the sculpture.
Photographs and films helped guide the restoration. These provided insights into the original construction and movement. The team meticulously cleaned and rebuilt each component.
The Sculpture Clock is more than just a timepiece. It represents a collaboration between art, architecture, and engineering. It is a symbol of Minneapolis’s commitment to public art. The restoration of the Daylight Savings Time Sculpture ensures that future generations can enjoy this unique piece. It will also allow them to contemplate the intersection of time, art, and urban space.