The structure, weighing about 20,000 pounds and standing over 122 feet tall, seems to float effortlessly within the 150-foot tall glass end-cap of the newly renovated, 2.8 million square foot Time Warner Center. After dark, the Prow Sculpture’s soft transitions of artistically rendered light and graphic sequences periodically give way to an encrypted display, symbolizing the time of day.

The Prow Sculpture’s Symbolic Clock is no ordinary clock. It’s not made of American hardwoods, or handcrafted by skilled woodworkers, or accented with hand painted dials and glasswork. The works do not include a weight, spring, gear, or escapement. Rather, the case is made of double-sided, twin-wall polycarbonate light panels. Every fifteen minutes, selected panels are illuminated in a defined sequence to represent the time of day. For example, at 4:15, four of the twelve large panels (each representing one hour) illuminate in pink while three of the twelve smaller panels (each representing five minutes) illuminate in yellow (see back cover image).

The beauty of the Prow Sculpture is made possible through 728 linear feet of Color Kinetics Icove LED color fixtures, controlled through a grid of one-foot sections along the top and bottom of the panels. These fixtures enable a multitude of colors to transition across any given panel. Also, select lighting fixtures known as VariLite VL3000s create color changes through a color mixing system, thus producing abstract designs across the panels. For example, images of enlarged snowflakes fall gracefully from top to bottom while simulating the effect of blowing in the wind with gentle shifts from right to left.

Inside the Time Warner Building, looking out upon the city through the Prow Sculpture was a breathtaking experience, topped only by the view looking down the side of the sculpture from above. The colors reflected softly off the glass walls and danced in time to the city’s lights. The Prow Sculpture is an unforgettable sight in the daytime and at night. The next time you’re in New York City, make your way to Columbus Circle and experience this modern blending of artistry and timekeeping.

The Prow Sculpture was made possible by the following contributors: Time Warner Inc.; RomeAntics Productions; Cinnabar; and Adrian Wilson, Interior Photography.

To learn more about the Prow Sculpture, visit the Library and Research Center of the National Watch & Clock Museum. Available information includes detailed blueprints, background information, image CDs of the assembly and components, as well as day and evening views after completion. For more information about Time Warner, Inc., and Time Warner Center, visit www.timewarner.com. To learn more about RomeAntics Productions, the company responsible for design and programming, and to see online photos of the Prow Sculpture, visit www.romeantics.com.

Jim Bland is the marketing director of the NAWCC. Jim and his assistant, Kim Craven, are featured in this issue’s Perspective feature article on page 799.