The Art-in-Architecture proposal adopts the perspective of the sun and follows the cycle of destruction and reconstruction of the Residenzschloss Weimar. The palace was devastated by fires four times, and each destruction was followed by a rebirth in a “new brilliance.” The final and most significant reconstruction took place under the direction of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

The sun marks these decisive historical turning points through its respective position in the sky:

The reconstruction after 1299 is represented by the sun’s position on January 1, 1300 at 8:00 a.m.

The reconstruction in 1424 is marked by the sun’s position on January 1, 1424 at 8:54 a.m.

The reconstruction in 1619 becomes visible through the sun’s position on January 1, 1619 at 10:18 a.m.

The reconstruction under Goethe’s direction is indicated by the sun’s position on January 1, 1789 at 11:32 a.m.

On the south façade of the palace, a large-scale, crumpled sheet of gold leaf appears. It captures and reflects sunlight, embodying the history of destruction and reconstruction. The incident light creates sharp highlights. At the historical turning points, these highlights are cut out of the surface and filled with translucent material. Artificial light illuminates these openings from behind, preserving the static brilliance of the past.

The materiality of the sculpture combines traditional craftsmanship with contemporary technologies. Its form is digitally recorded and translated into a lightweight yet stable structure using innovative fabrication methods. Classical mold-making processes merge with modern production techniques without displacing established craft traditions. Finally, the surface is polished and gilded to intensify the reflection and refraction of light.

The south wall of the palace, where the artwork is installed, is illuminated by artificial light sources. The lighting modules directed at the sculpture reference the current solar position of 13:14 (1:14 p.m.). This moment marks a transformation of the palace — an interplay between nature and technology, between past and present.

“13:14” stands for the union of natural light and artificial radiance, for the transition from history to the present. It is the moment in which the sun inscribes itself into the architecture of the palace through a timeless reflection, symbolizing the perpetual cycle of destruction and renewal.