Nancy Holt
Solar Rotary, 1995

LOCATION:
University of South Florida, Tampa
Communication & Information Sciences Building Courtyard

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

At solar noon on the day of summer solstice, Solar Rotary's shadow caster casts a circle of light around the central seat. On five specific days of the year, at times specific for each day, Solar Rotary casts its circle of light around plaques placed in the ground plane of the plaza that mark historic events for the State of Florida and the city of Tampa. Additional seating is provided both around the perimeter of the plaza, and on four benches set into the nearby landscape marking the cardinal directions, North, South, East and West.

Solar Alignment
The large ring on the central circular seat is inscribed as follows:

ON THE DAY OF THE SUMMER SOLSTICE AT SOLAR NOON BETWEEN 1:31
AND 1:32 PM A CIRCLE OF SUNLIGHT WILL BE CAST AROUND THIS CIRCULAR SEAT.

A circle of sunlight will also surround five 12” diameter bronze plates in the plaza pavement at specific times on certain historical dates inscribed on the plaques. These dates are:

MARCH 27, 12:18 PM
THE DATE OF THE FIRST REPORTED SIGHTING OF FLORIDA BY AN INHABITANT OF ANOTHER CONTINENT, PONCE DE LEON FROM SPAIN, 1513

AUGUST 14, 3:30 PM
THE DATE THAT THE FIRST MAP OF THE COAST OF FLORIDA WAS SUBMITTED TO LORD HILLSBOROUGH, BRITISH SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES, FOR WHOM THIS COUNTY IS NAMED, 1772

JANUARY 25, 12:12 PM
THE DATE OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FIRST TOWN GOVERNMENT OF TAMPA, 1849

SEPTEMBER 5, 4:11 PM
THE DATE FOR THE GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA, 1958

JULY 20, 10:24 AM
THE DATE THAT THE FIRST HUMAN BEINGS LANDED ON THE MOON IN SPACESHIP APOLLO 11 LAUNCHED FROM CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA, 1969

On any sunny or even hazy day Solar Rotary will cast its dynamic sun symbol shadow in a continuously changing pattern on the pavement below. And every day circular shapes of sunlight will be cast around the plaza.

Meteorite
In the center of the central seat is a meteorite with a bronze ring surrounding it, which is inscribed as follows:

IN THE CENTER OF THIS RING IS A 4.5 BILLION YEAR OLD METEORITE SAID TO HAVE FALLEN TO EARTH IN DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA.

Sand
The dedication plaque states, “Sand from the four corners of the University (NE, SW, NW, SE) was used in the making of the circular seat.” This process geologically concentrates the entire University into the spot on the planet where Solar Rotary causes a circle of sunlight to fall on Summer Solstice.

Orientation
Four concrete benches with N, E, S, and W inlaid in bronze are approximately 65 ft. from the center of the plaza in the North, East, and South and West directions. They are under trees, shaded from the sun, and extend the sculpture into the surrounding landscape.

The openings between the vertical posts of Solar Rotary are aligned with the central axis formed by the converging sidewalks through the center of the paved circle in an eight pointed star pattern (symbol for Venus).

Seating
Besides the central circular concrete seat and four N, E, S, W benches, the eight concrete seats around the circumference of the plaza were also constructed as an integral part of Solar Rotary. Each of these benches has three circular lights (24 lights in all) for nighttime illumination and viewing.

Plants
Hardy, low growing flowering plants, Giant Evergreen Lirope, were planted around the periphery of the plaza outside of the eight benches. Several Live Oak trees were planted near the four outer N, E, S, W benches.

 

Solar Rotary made possible by Florida's Art in State Buildings Program