sunny side up, an artificial sun reproducing the archaic typology of sundial developed by AATB

presented for the first time as part of the U-JOINTS exhibition curated by andrea caputo and anniina koivu at milan design week 2018, ‘sunny side up’ is a robotic sun developed by zurich and marseille-based studio AATB proposing a contemporary take on the familiar sundial. this interactive object embodies the movement of the sun in real time as the earth orbits around it. from sunrise to high noon and sunset, sunny side up brings the movement of this celestial body close to the viewer.

in the afternoon

AATB’s robotic sun orbits around a metal rod, casting a shadow and allowing the measurement of time, as well as the viewer’s reconnection with celestial events. in the age of anthropocene, sunny side up raises questions about our current disconnect from the planet and circadian rhythms. in a future where cities get more and more polluted, will our current disconnect from starlight and the night sky permeate to daylight and the sun’s position? similarly, in a world where productivity and work cycles ignore natural rhythms, can this artificial sun serve as a timely reminder of when to start and when to stop?

the studio hopes that this man-made sun will also raise awareness on the artificial construction of nature and the technological quest to harness it throughout time.

in the morning

the prototype

during installation of the robotic arm

the LED fading controller

the process of machining the aluminum rod

the process of machining the fade controller circuit board

a detail of the LED and heatsink

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: maria erman | designboom