Sundial by Josep Tapiola, Sculpture in Empuriabrava, Spain
The Cadran solaire par Josep Tapiola is an outdoor metal sundial sculpture in Empuriabrava, Spain. It features a flat plate marked with hour lines and a vertical rod that casts a shadow depending on the position of the sun.
Josep Tapiola created this sculpture to bring classical timekeeping into a public art context in modern Empuriabrava. He produced several outdoor works in the town, including the Cavalls de Mar group, which was restored more recently.
The Cadran solaire par Josep Tapiola stands in a public space that locals and boat owners pass through every day. It invites people to stop and watch how the shadow travels across the surface as the sun moves through the sky.
The sculpture is freely accessible at any time, as it stands on a public square that is easy to reach on foot. Sunny days are best for watching the sundial function, though the work is worth a stop in any weather.
The sculpture actually tells the time when the sun is shining, making it one of the few public artworks in the area with a working practical purpose. Tapiola was known for forms drawn from nature, and this piece connects his artistic approach directly to a scientific principle.
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