The Millennium Clock

National Museum of Scotland.

Time.

“Time and tide waits for no man”

Or as my husband is fond of saying: “Time waits for no one.”

The Millennium Clock.

The museum label for The Millennium Clock states that it the clock was made in Glasgow in 1999.

It is a collaborative effort of sculptor-mechanic Eduard Bersudsky, sculptor-furniture maker Tim Stead, Glass Artist Annica Sandstorm, Clockmaker Jürgen Tübbecke, and Illustrator Maggy Stead Lenert, under the artistic direction of Tatyana Jakovskay.

The piece commemorates the human suffering of the 20th Century.

Explanation of the Piece.

It further explains that there are four sections: The Crypt, The Nave, The Belfry, and The Spire.

Starting with the crypt, an Egyptian monkey turns the wheels which imprison an ancient spirit.

The Nave depicts humans caught up in the wheel of time, progress, war, politics, belief, and disappointment.

Above the figures of Lenin, Stalin, and Hilter (which act as a reminder of the worst aspects of the 20th Century), a pendulum swings, supporting the figure of death.

There are also characters which celebrate better times.

In the Belfry, there are twelve figures, with each one representing a calendar month. Each figure also represents a hardship or tragedy that has afflicted humanity…war, famine, slavery, persecution…

The Circle of Death.

Next is the clock face, contemporary in its glass design, which stands in stark contrast to the rest of the piece.

I don’t have a photo of the top, other than looking closely at the first photo.

And lastly, the final component of the clock is The Spire.

Atop the spire is a female figure holding a dead man. It symbolizes mourning and compassion for humanity.

See it in action.

The clock chimes every hour on the hour and I’ve included the video if you care to watch. Originally, I planned to share it on my Instagram story, so that is why the film is not in landscape mode.

Finite.

Time is a finite thing for us humans.

I think it is best spent being kind.

And it is best spent practicing gratitude for the positives in your life instead of dwelling on the negatives.

And it is also best spent offering love and smiling at every opportunity.

Because the next breath is not promised.

So time is a precious commodity.

How are you using yours?

Let your light shine!

Amy