Freshers looking suitably nonchalant in their first week at York University pass by Goodricke college. I wonder what they make of all the cogs? It is a sculpture called Algol by Harry Mercer.
It is placed here because John Goodricke was an astronomer who lived in York in the 18th century. He was born deaf and died aged 22.
In his short life he was the first to explain the variations in the brightness of the
star Algol - the star consists of two spheres which closely orbit one
another making it a binary star.
The sculpture is made from old cogs and wheels salvaged from trains and there are actually two sculptures, one for each sphere. I found the following information here
"When new the globes were lit
from within in an approximation to the relative brightness of the real
stars - one red, one blue. The sculpture was unveiled at night for full effect. After a speech, the lights
dimmed, and the stars lit up, and the honourable speaker was heard to
say ``Good God!'' down the mic in a fairly disturbed voice.
Reports indicate they were still lit in 1978-9.
Now woefully under-maintained, bits fall off from time to time".
I am happy to report that recently they have been given a facelift.
Taking part in ABC Wednesday
This is the view revealed by the demolition of the huts in yesterdays post. It shows the wall of St Mary's Abbey and the corner tower (see the more usual view here) from an angle unseen by most since before WW2. There was a bit of an outcry at the removal of the huts by some who felt the city was losing a' valuable piece of modern history'. I for one would rather have this view than preserve a few asbestos ridden wartime huts. The plan is for this space to be landscaped and used to display sculpture which could be an asset for the city, or not depending on the sculptures chosen!.
A picture I took last year of one of the few remaining undeveloped areas in the centre of the city. These war time huts were hidden away behind the Art Gallery and scheduled for demolition to make way for an open air sculpture display. Come back tomorrow to see how work is progressing......
This Shield of Arms can be found near the Minster, note the crossed Keys of St Peter on the left. The design indicates that this building was funded by money raised to celebrate Arthur Purey-Cust serving as Dean of York Minster for 30 years. His wrote several books about York Minster including one entitled
A Few Words to the Chapter of York by the Dean on the Qualifications, Personal and Professional, of an Ideal Organist for the Minster
I have not read this particular volume so I have no idea if Dean Purey-Cust had a sense of humour or a well developed sense of his own importance!
Despite living in Europe's most haunted city I haven't mentioned ghosts in a while, these two transparent figures floated by me as I walked through the Museum gardens recently....
The sun was just starting to rise as I walked past Holy Trinity Rectory on Micklegate last week.
Taking part in Skywatch Friday
The De Grey Rooms were commissioned by Earl de Grey and fellow officers in the Yorkshire Hussars to be used as their mess. Dating from 1841/2 this elegant looking building is still used for public functions today. I think the name makes them sound rather grand and they have a very elegant staircase well suited to soldiers in dress uniforms and ladies in ball-gowns.
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