Mosaic Madness - Mosaic workshops for schools, communities and corporate training - Bristol, UK

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Email Mosaic Madness - David Bowers - Community Artist - Tel: 0117 9801920 - Mobile: 07900 280 297
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Human Sundials

Human sundials

Mosaic Madness….and now Human Sundials!

What are they?

The need to be able to tell time and measure its passage goes back to early civilisations and even though we have moved on in technology the Sun still allows us to use those same techniques. A Human Sundial is based on the idea of an analemmatic sundial which is placed on the ground with the shadow casting object being moved about depending on the date.

You can find out more information on these sundials at www.sunclocks.com

 
We can create a Human Sundial
  • Outside only
  • Any ground surface
  • Temporary, semi permanent or permanent
The Human Sundial can also include other elements
  • Time Capsules
  • Seating
Making a Human Sundial can:
  • Help to improve an individual's self esteem, motivation, ownership, inclusion.
  • Working together as a group to improve teamwork, communication, community presence.
For schools how a human Sundial links in with the NATIONAL CURRICULUM!
  • History. The story of sundials and how different cultures measured time, for example looking at Stonehenge and the Summer Solstice
  • Geography. As each sundial is based on longitude and latitude seeing how this relates to the planet and how we then relate to the Sun. Plus a sundial is based on True North and not Magnetic North such as a compass.
  • English. Looking at the different names for each part of the sundial such as the Gnomon which is the object or person that creates the shadow. As well as Standard and Daylight Saving Time, i.e. the fact that we go an hour forward and backward in Spring and Autumn.
  • Mathematics. As each sundial is unique there’s a series of calculations used to plot out a sundial, for example the distance between the numbers and the central area are plotted out using an X-Y grid.
  • Art & Design. It can be seen as an art medium in itself and can be used to express a subject, event or celebration.
  • Information Technology: Using computers and the Web to work out the calculations and find examples of sun dials through out the world.
  • Science. Looking at how a sundial works and thinking of other ways of measuring time, such as a water clock, candle, etc. that doesn’t reply on the sun and so would work at night time.
  • Physical Education. You have to place yourself within the sundial for it to work and then you could measure your shadow and see how its length varies throughout the day.
Examples of how they can be done!
  • A temporary sundial can be designed to last for a day, week or month and be installed with in any environment within a day. For example using laminated paper to plot out the different sections and are then pegged to the ground.
  • A permanent sundial can last as long as you need, for example creating mosaic paving slabs. The advantage of slabs is that they can be moved to a different area if required in the future.
  • Other types of materials you can use are:
  • Paint. A sundial could be painted onto an existing surface such as a playground.
  • Wood. A series of wooden poles are hammered into the ground.
  • Stone. A series of stones are placed onto the ground.
  • Mosaics. A series of mosaic paving slabs placed onto the ground.
  • Or a mixture of some of the above. For example using wooden poles hammered into the ground and mosaic paving slabs for the central Gnomon section.
  • The area within the sundial that’s not used to actually tell the time can be left as the existing surface, such as grass or tarmac or replaced with a another material such as gravel, bark chippings, etc.

For more information - Click to see Portfolio

The Holburne Museum of Art and Twerton Infant School
This Human Sundial was created by the children from Twerton Infant School to celebrate the 200th Anniversary of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s rail line through Bath. As part of the project the children were able to visit the Museum and view the rail line from Sydney Gardens.
Keynsham Mencap
Working with a number of young people as part of their Summer Holiday play scheme to create a Human Sundial for Keynsham Memorial Park.
See ME01, ME02 & ME03.
Bristol Kite Festival

This sundial was created by pupils from Hillcrest primary School & Brislington Enterprise College to celebrate their 20th anniversary and is located with in Ashton Court near to the Rose Garden
Photos are already there on the page.

Criminal Police Check and Other Qualifications:
  • A full enhanced police check
  • F.A.E.T.C. Stage 2 Teaching Certificate
  • City & Guilds 9281 (Numeracy)
  • N.V.Q. D32/33. Assessor

See About Me for a full list of different organisations I have worked with.

Some Organisations, community groups and schools I have worked for:
  • Holburne Museum of Art,
  • Twerton Infant School,
  • Bristol Kite Festival,
  • Hillcrest primary School,
  • Brislington Enterprise College.

See About Me for a full list of different organisations and schools I have worked with.

The need to be able to tell time and measure its passage goes back to early civilisations
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Working together as a group to improve teamwork, communication, community presence.
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Human sundial for Twerton Infant school created as part of Brunell 200 with Holburne Museum of Art
 
Human sundial for Twerton Infant school created as part of Brunell 200 with Holburne Museum of Art
 
Human sundial for Twerton Infant school created as part of Brunell 200 with Holburne Museum of Art
 
Human sundial for Twerton Infant school created as part of Brunell 200 with Holburne Museum of Art
 
Human sundial for Twerton Infant school created as part of Brunell 200 with Holburne Museum of Art
A Human Sundial is based on the idea of an analemmatic sundial which is placed on the ground with the shadow casting object being moved about depending on the date.
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Part of the kite festival sundial located at Ashton Court, Bristol, UK
 
Part of the kite festival sundial located at Ashton Court, Bristol, UK
 
Mencap sundial located at Keynsham Memorial Park, Bristol, UK
 
Part of the kite festival sundial located at Ashton Court, Bristol, UK
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Contact - David Bowers - Community Artist - Tel: 0117 9801920 - Mobile: 07900 280 297
Email Mosaic Madness - 57 Sylvia Avenue, Knowle, Bristol BS3-5BU

Mosaic Madness - community art
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