Millennium Clock Tower in Edinburgh at the Museum of Scotland

Описание: The Millennium Clock Tower in Edinburgh is a fascinating piece of kinetic art housed in the National Museum of Scotland. Here’s a brief overview:

Creation: The clock was created in 1999 by the Millennium Clock Makers Trust, with contributions from five master makers: Tim Stead (furniture maker), Eduard Besudsky (kinetic sculpture), Annica Sandström (glass artist), Jürgen Tübbecke (clockmaker), and Maggy Lenert (illustrator).

Design: Standing over ten meters tall, the clock echoes the form of a medieval cathedral and is divided into four sections: The Crypt, The Nave, The Belfry, and The Spire. Each section tells different stories and represents various aspects of the 20th century.

Features:
The Crypt: Contains wheels and chains with figures like an Ancient Spirit and an Egyptian Monkey, which is a favorite among children.

The Nave: Holds a pendulum with a skeletal death figure and distorted figures of Lenin, Hitler, and Stalin, reminding us of the darker times of the 20th century. It also celebrates better times with animated characters, including a Chaplin-like figure.

The Belfry: Accommodates the clock and the Requiem, a circle of twelve figures representing each month and various hardships humanity has faced, from war to famine.

The Spire: At the top, it features the Pietà, a symbol of compassion and the strength to move forward.

Music: The clock plays the 3rd Movement of Concerto in A minor, Allegro BWV 593, by Johann Sebastian Bach.

The clock has provoked mixed reactions, with some finding it depressing and others being delighted by its motion and music. It’s known to attract crowds, especially when it comes to life on the hour.