SoftTime, 2023 / 2024
A MUMA and Monash Public Art Commission
Curator Emily Cormack
Venue : Building H, Monash University, Caulfield Campus, VIC, Australia
Year: 2024
Media: frosted tubular perspex, programmed LED lights, powder-coated steel
Dimensions: 6m diametre
SoftTime draws inspiration from the civic town clock, connecting the people and activities that take place in an important social and public space on the Caulfield campus—the Campus Green—with a rhythmic circular movement. Historically, town clocks have had an important role in urban landscapes and cities, marking time in a communal sense and acting as meeting points or markers of location. With advances in technology, including digital clocks, and later personal devices, the town clock's original purpose has become largely obsolete.
SoftTime's illumination comprises two semicircles of light—one white and one blue—that rotate continuously like a second hand, completing a full rotation every minute. At the start of each hour, the clock comes to life with an additional animation: a burst of white light travels around the circle, beginning at the numerical position of the hour, before fading back into the semicircular illumination. This movement of light invites us to reflect on the interconnected rhythms of timekeeping, both universal and local, that shape our environments and experiences.
#softtime2024
Naarm/Melbourne
Photos: Christian Capurro and NJM
My heartfelt gratitude goes to everyone who brought this project to life. To the wonderful Alicia Renew and Dr Rebecca Coates from MUMA; to the discerning eye of Dr Emily Cormack, independent curator; to EMT (European Museum Tech) for their impeccable craftsmanship and seamless blend of engineering and aesthetics; and to the legends of lighting, Bluebottle, for their expertise and elegance in the medium of light. Thanks also to Parth Lakhani for his skilful project management and deft cracking of the whip, and to all of those behind the scenes who made SoftTime possible—you know who you are.