Le Défenseur du Temps [SEP] creator
Le Défenseur du Temps
Le Défenseur du Temps ("The Defender of Time") is a large mechanical work of art in the form of a clock created by the French artist Jacques Monestier.
Description.
"Le Défenseur du Temps" is a clock made of automata. Close to the dial, a man perched on a rock with a sword and shield fights against a bird, a dragon, and a crab which respectively represent air, earth, and water. As originally designed, every hour from 9
hammered brass and gold leaf. The rock on which they sit is composed of oxidized brass. In its original configuration, a master electronic quartz circuit board controlled the random attacks chance, and used six cam timers and five tape recorders.
Location.
"Le Défenseur du temps" is located at 8 rue Bernard de Clairvaux, in the Quartier de l'Horloge in Paris' 3rd arrondissement. The area around the clock owes its name to this work.
History.
"Le Défenseur du temps" was commissioned in