How would you define what you are?
I’m a gnomonist, that is to say I build solar clocks, sundials and spheric astrolabes. I am totally self-taught, I began just for passion, and today I am one of the few Italian craftsman who produces these kind of devices.
What do you like the most about what you do?
Solar clocks are fascinating artworks, in which science and art are blended together. They come from the most ancient human knowledge, dating back many centuries. They’re sky mirrors, that make you think about the nature of time and our place in the Universe.
© Giuseppe Giudici
Why order a handcrafted armillary sphere in 2021?
Armillary spheres are ancient but timeless objects, that have always been a symbol of knowledge and a prestigious item. They can be installed as garden sculptures, through which people can observe the flow of time and the cycle of the seasons in harmony with nature.
Could your craft be considered in danger?
Not at all! On the contrary, gnomonics is a lively discipline today, especially compared to the last century, thanks to the Internet. The web has broadened the access to information about solar clocks and the mathematical methods to create them.