Cincinati  

 Sundial: 1140
State/Province:  Ohio Country:  USA
Dial Type:  Alignment Condition:  Excellent
  Latitude and Longitude: 39° 9.683' N  84° 29.364' W
Location:
  • Theodore M. Berry International Friendship Park
    1135 Riverside Dr. Cincinnati, OH 45202

    The alignment ring is at the eastern end of the park next to the Pavilion and near the Bains Street intersection. Gravel parking lot is across Riverside Drive. Admission to the park is free.
 
Description:
  • The alignment ring of seven sculptures indicates the time of solar noon and date of the solstices and equinoxes. The sculpture is titled “Seven Vessels Ascending/Descending”. The alignment of the seven sculptures is on a 40 feet (12m) circle of grass surrounded by a circular red brick plaza.. In the very center of the circles is a 2-foot (.6m) diameter marble slab indicating the direction of sunrise/sunset on the solstices and equinoxes. It also indicates the N-S meridian line and time of solar noon on the solstices.

    A plaque describes the alignment statues:

    “These vessels, designed by sculptor David Nash, are carved from 200 year old English Oak. They align with specific positions of the sun. The vessel with no charring aligns with true south, casting a beam of light through a carved slot each day at “true” [solar] noon. The beam of light is at its shortest on June 21st, Summer Solstice, when the beam appears as a spot of light on the pedestal. At Winger Solstice, December 21st, this beam of light is longest and appears on the grass in the center of the circle.

    “There are three charred vessels on the east side of the south vessel and three on the west. The middle vessels align to true east and west. The east one aligns with the sun at sunrise on the fall and spring equinox, and the west one with sunset. Of the two vessels closest to the true south vessel, one aligns with the sun at sunrise and one at sunset of the winter solstice. The northern most two vessels align with the sun at sunrise and sunset on the summer solstice.

    “There is an ascending gesture to the vessels on the sunrise side and a descending gesture to the vessels of the sunset side."

    Plaza of the Sun has the following description:

    “The red concrete color and the brick “rays” of sunlight on the surface of the plaza identify it as the Plaza of the Sun. The work in the center of the plaza marks the movement of the sun across the sky and across the seasons. The piece, “Seven Vessels Ascending/Descending”, depicts our dependence on the sun and our individual relationship to it. It was selected as a result of an international competition, created by artist David Nash of Wales, and shipped to the site. The plaza is just one fo the park’s features which depict man’s universal relationship with nature. An overlook on the plaza affords open river views. The plaza is also the eastern gateway into the park and a venue for events and activities at the adjacent International Pavilion.
 
General Information:Inscription:
  • Owner: Theodore M. Berry International Friendship Park
  • The marble maker at the center of alignment sculptures is inscribed with “Seven Vessels Ascending/Descending” with the signature of the artists David Nash, 2003
  • Designer: David Nash
  • Builder: David Nash
  • Construction Date: 2003
 

Last Revised: 2025-10-20 10:57