Richmond Beach Saltwater Park, Shoreline, Washington, USA, 2009

Reflex Solaris is an environmental artwork that uses the sun’s alignment and reflection to create an aesthetic experience tied to the park’s unique concave landform, dramatic westerly views, and cyclical time. Radiating out from a focal point sundial terrace are five stainless steel reflectors built into the land’s upper slopes. Each mirrored reflector has three facets positioned to capture and play with the visual dynamics and spatial relationships of the site. Each reflector aligns with a significant astronomical locus: winter solstice sunset, summer solstice sunset, equinox sunset, true north, and magnetic north. On the solstices and equinoxes the setting sun hits an aligned reflector and shoots sunlight back to the central sundial to create a nexus of place, space, and time. 

Reflex Solaris was commissioned by the Shoreline Public Art Program.  Metalwork was by Atomic Fabrications.