Chronophage means Time-Eater - and that is what the giant metal grasshopper on top of this clock does - as the gold disk spins round, it "eats" the seconds on the rim. Sometimes he stops and blinks in satisfaction, then continues to gobble up the time. This fabulous clock, designed by John Taylor, was installed on an outside wall of Corpus Christi college in 2008 and has been a huge attraction in Cambridge ever since. It is very beautiful - and terrifying at the same time - deliberately - as this quote from the designer suggests - "Basically I view time as not on your side. He'll eat up every minute of your life, and as soon as one has gone he's salivating for the next." And you can see the effect it has on the little girl, clinging on to her Mum!
I'm cheating here because I took this back in March. Today has been one of those non-stop-hamster-wheel affairs where I haven't had a moment to take a photo (I toyed with the idea of a picture of Tesco's fish counter as I attempted to break the world speed-shopping record while Will was at football training, but then found I'd left my camera at home, so you've been spared that treat). So it seemed only fitting that my picture today would be of the time-eating grasshopper - time definitely not on my side today and I have a feeling it won't be for the foreseeable future!
:
In truth, the clock is just beautiful...what a wonderful work of art. I'd love to actually see that for myself. I wonder if anyone has taken a video of it for youtube...
What an ugly, nasty grasshopper!! Great design though, but how do you tell the time?? Err so there's a giant grasshopper gobbling up our life, wonder what time tastes like??
Helen, I think this was the best photo for today even if it was from March b/c it helps us know how you were feeling this day and who can't identify with never seeming to have enough time to do all we want/need to do...but too bad it took this long for someone to figure out the cause of our problem...some grasshopper eating up our day...if we had only discovered this sooner we could have eradicated the little bugger! LOL
And thanks to Louise for finding the video link. That was really well-done....but leave it to Jane to put an even more humorous spin on this...how DO you tell the time on this clockand how does it taste??!!! I would think it has a nasty taste! Hahaha...
a very interesting clock. I like that you captured the little girl's reaction. I remember those days when my children had activities and there just never seemed to be enough minutes in the day, not much better now that they're grown, I'm afraid.
Such an amazing piece of art! I just watched the video that Louise found. I would love to see it in person. That is also so interesting about the Lego. To be correct...I should have said Lego Bricks. We were debating this morning with co-workers. Funny how we always call them Legos here...lol
Helen, what a wonderful picture and I love the story! As I get older and older...I worry about time. (I really worry about spending too much time at the computer - but that is what I love!)
June 11th, 2010
Leave a Comment
Sign up for a free account or Sign in to post a comment.
In truth, the clock is just beautiful...what a wonderful work of art. I'd love to actually see that for myself. I wonder if anyone has taken a video of it for youtube...
FYI...one of several choices. It really gives a good demonstration!
I like the idea behind this clock but it does look terrifying!
And thanks to Louise for finding the video link. That was really well-done....but leave it to Jane to put an even more humorous spin on this...how DO you tell the time on this clockand how does it taste??!!! I would think it has a nasty taste! Hahaha...