'Circle of Time ' - Bas Relief Wall Hong Kong University of Science and Technology 1991

 

• Narrative panels based on the history of Chinese Science and Technology
• We deliberately eliminated scale to create a flow of shapes and forms to simulate what we term a historical stream of consciousness. Features are juxta-positioned upon each other to approximate the swirl and flow of history, almost dreamlike in complexity. Some elements are larger then others by virtue of their form rather then specific historical function. The result is a restless shadow play teeming with the creative energy of the Chinese-People. As with the Sundial soaring above, it is the symbolic interplay of shadows which articulates the relief sculpture, the passage of time being measured both directly and indirectly both paying homage to the most recent 'Temple of Learning of the University itself.

   

Symbolic Design representing the development of Science and technology in China

1. Iron Plough 6th Century BC

2. Segmental Arch Bridge 7th C. AD

3. Lacquer: First Plastic. 13th C. BC

4. Magnetic Compass 4th C. BC

5. Mathematics. Abacus. 13th C. BC

6. helicopter Rotor & Propeller 4th C. AD

7. Spinning Wheel 11th C. AD

8. Magnetic resonance& Induction: Drawing Steel Wire 11th C.AD

9. Canal Pound Lock 10th C. AD

10. Sailing: Fore & Aft Rigging 2nd C. AD

11. Rudder 1st C. AD

12.Trace Harness for Horses 3rd 0. BC

13. Canopied Carriage: Precursor of Umbrella 1st C. BC

14.Collar Harness 4th C. BC

15. Multistage Rocket 11th C. AD

16.Fishing Reel 3rd C. AD

17.Escapement Wheel: First Mechanical Clock 8th C. AD

18. Square Pallet Chain Pump 1st C. AD

19.Yin Yang Symbol: Essence of Matter-Particle Wave Duality Theory

20.Hexagonal Structure of Snowflakes: Cosmic Scheme of Nature

21.Manned Flight With Kites 4th C. BC

22.Seismograph 2nd C. AD

23.The Ku Ch'in: Theory of Musical Timbre 3rd C. AD

24.Woodblock & Movable Type Printing 8th C. AD

25.Equatorial & Astronomical Instruments 13th C. AD

26.Manufacture of Steel from Cast Iron 2nd C. BC

27.Bells: Music & Measurement 5th C. BC

28.Circadian Rhythms in the Human Body 2nd C. BC

29.The Stirrup 3rd C. AD

30.Cast Iron 4th C. BC

31.The Parachute 2nd C. BC

32. First Cybernetic Machine: South Pointing Carriage 3rd C. AD

33.Multi-tubed Seed Drill 2nd C. BC

34. Double-acting Piston Bellows 4th C. BC

35.The Wheelbarrow 4th C. BC

36. Porcelain 3rd AD

37.The Sliding Calipers 1st C.BC

38.Paper- Making 2nd C. BC

39. Science of Endocrinology 2nd C. BC

Joan Walsh-Smith

Charles Smith