Gandesa debuts a sundial where people's shadows mark the exact time

A sundial where the shadow you cast yourself tells the time. That simple and surprising is the new installation in Gandesa, which will make more than one person look at the clock in a very different way.

The Bassa d'en Gaire park hosts this five-meter-wide analemmatic sundial, designed by Jesús Godina. And it is not just any clock: those who want to know the time must stand on a line marked according to the day and month, and their shadow indicates the exact solar time.

The analemmatic sundial: how it works and what it means

The most human gnomon there is

In a conventional clock, the gnomon is the rod that casts the shadow. Here, the gnomon is you: the person who walks or stands in the correct position makes their shadow point to the solar time. A bit of science and a lot of direct interaction.

Remembering the eclipse and the history of the Sun

The inauguration date is no coincidence. This installation is a tribute to the total solar eclipse that will occur next Wednesday. Additionally, it serves to spread the concept of solar time and the relationship humanity has always had with the Sun.

Local elements and symbols engraved in stone

Gandesa reflected in every detail

It is not just a clock, but it incorporates local symbols such as the coat of arms of Gandesa and the main winds that blow in the area, making this installation a small showcase of the territory.

Ulldecona stone: engraved with distances and coordinates

The geographical data of the place and distances to Catalan, Valencian, and Aragonese capitals are engraved in Ulldecona stone, adding a touch of permanence and history to the work.

Source of the article: Catalan News Agency