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Al Corchia / Rudolph de Harak
Aurora Electric Clock
Kirsch - Hamilton, Cambridge MA.
Early 1970's.
Aluminum with electric motor and lamp, colored gelatin cells.
5"w x 8"d x 8.25"h.
Electric clock with series of internal gelatin "color cells" which constantly rotate and counter rotate, producing a moderately hypnotic, continually changing, multi-chromatic rotating clockface.
The Aurora was based on Jordan Kirsch (of Kirsch-Hamilton)'s patent for a clock that used birefractive lenses. They hired the design firm Corchia and de Harak in the early 1970s to design the iconic clock, which soon found its way into the permanent collection of the MoMA.
Polished aluminum body with lighted colorful face that continuously changes color, paper label, 8”w Serial number in the low 3000's suggests this example quite early, first 10% made, so likely 1972 or 1973.
More than 40,000 examples of this clock have been produced, in a variety of materials, and the clock continues to be produced today.
Very good vintage condition, with signs of use and wear conistent with a 35 year old item produced during the throw away consciousness of the late Pop movement. Sturdy and structurally sound.
This item retains it's highly reflective original finish, which has been thoroughly cleaned and lightly polished. We have not, however, had the item buffed back to "mint condition;" noticable scratches are present. These are all evident in the catalog photographs, and there are no other sustantial marks not illustrated here.
According to the current maker of reproductions of this clock, for the first ten years or so of production of this clock, the body was constructed from non-anodized aluminum. What this means is that the material itself can be polished, and as a result any scratches or other surface marks can be buffed out.
Signed with paper label, with hand notated serial number.
As with all electrical devices offered MassModern, we strongly urge you to have these items inspected by an electrical professional before use.
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| Rudolph de Harak |
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| Design work on Kirsch - Hamilton's "Aurora Clock" is generally credited to the firm Corchia / de Harak, presumably to be equally shared between firm principals Al Corchia and Rudolph de Harak. At the time of work on the Aurora project, Corchia and de Harak were already internationally regarded graphic artists. Corchia's book design work is especially well regarded, and his graphic work is represented in the permanent collection of MOMA. Both men have been regularly honored by the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA); click on de Harak's picture at left to see his biography on the "medal winners" page at AIGA.
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