In the Light of Aï Khanoum by Narges Mohammadi

The work reconstructs the lost logic of an ancient sundial from Aï Khanoum, now inaccessible and of uncertain whereabouts, through contemporary technology. At its centre, an artificial sun illuminates a scale model of the original artefact, activating asystem of twelve light sources that simulate the subtle passage of time. Rather than representing a single historical moment, the installation reflects on multiple temporal systems—including Hijri, Afghan, Zoroastrian, and Western calendars. By combining ancient astronomical knowledge with contemporary light technology, the work reveals how time, history, and cultural memory are continually reconstructed. A work developed together with light artist Nick Mansveld.