Sei dir deiner Zeit bewusst. That’s the inscription etched into the Sonnenuhr Installation right here.
This Sonnenuhr Installation isn’t just a timepiece. It is a testament to art meeting science.
We are standing before a unique creation. It is a spherical sundial crafted from light gray granite.
Look around at the circular paved area. This is more than just a place to stand. It is part of the artwork. The Sonnenuhr Installation sits in front of the Zeiss-Großplanetarium. It mirrors the planetarium’s dome shape.
Notice the flattened top of the sphere. A rectangular raised area acts as the pointer. Engraved lines and hour numbers mark the face. The phrase “SEI DIR DEINER ZEIT BEWUSST” is at the bottom edge.
The circular space around the Sonnenuhr Installation is lowered by a step. It spans six meters in diameter. Red porphyry stones pave the area. Overlapping circles represent planetary orbits.
Dark and light gray stones extend the planetary orbit theme. A low wall borders the space on the north side. Jörg Kuhn noted this design.
Joachim Liebscher designed the Sonnenuhr Installation. Alfred Hebold, a master stonemason, executed the granite work. Gottfried Hocke handled the paving.
Liebscher studied at the Hochschule für Bildende Künste Dresden. His art blends space design and diverse materials. He created many public space installations in East German cities. The Sonnenuhr is considered one of his most important works.
The Zeiss-Großplanetarium was completed in 1987. Erhardt Gißke was the architect. The surrounding green space extends Ernst-Thälmann-Park.
The Sonnenuhr Installation and its plaza are integral to this green space. Their form and content relate directly to the planetarium. The Sonnenuhr Installation uses granite and red Lausitzer porphyry. Artists smoothed and joined the materials.
Consider this: the Sonnenuhr Installation does more than tell time. It invites reflection. It connects us to the cosmos. It reminds us to be mindful of our time. It is a beautiful blend of art, science, and philosophy.