the andromeda bench, also known as a seat to sit on and watch andromeda approaching.

​

edinburgh city council park bench and an engraved aluminum plaque, 2016

​

the andromeda galaxy is hurtling towards us at four hundred thousand kilometers per hour. but even at that speed it will not reach our galaxy for approximately four billion years.

put simply, 'the andromeda bench' is a seat to sit on and watch andromeda approaching. this seat will be facing in the direction of the galaxy at certain times of the day based on the rotation of the earth.

 

andromeda is the most distant object visible to the unaided eye. it is possible to see it without a telescope, and when you know where to look. 

the andromeda bench is an invitation to sit facing something that currently resides two million, five hundred thirty-eight thousand light years from us and watch it approaching.

 

the size and speed of this astronomical object is beyond the capabilities of the sitter to register on a human level. even if you cannot see it and even when you cannot comprehend the speed at which it is hurtling towards us it is still hurtling towards us. by sitting on this bench you can 'watch' andromeda approaching.

 

this piece was produced in collaboration with edinburgh city council and professor andy lawrence at edinburgh royal observatory.
 

 

the andromeda bench installed in the edinburgh college of art masters degree show 2016

 

"for the duration of the degree show the andromeda bench sits and looks out though a wall of windows, on the north east side of edinburgh college of art. during this time the andromeda galaxy will sit in this section of sky from 4pm everyday until the degree show ends and the rotation of the earth, and our movement through space, carries the andromeda bench elsewhere.

the andromeda bench is a piece around which the rest of the artworks from this series orbit”.

 

 

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

'