John Tyndall memorial - The Nature of Nature: Installation in the Garden of Remembrance, Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow, Ireland

Sander`s research and artwork is concerned with the interface of science and art. He also investigates the question of contemporary memorials in public art. Ralf Sander conducted in-depth research into scientific findings and their illustration and description during the 19th century. In his artwork. He decided to focus on the representation of Tyndall’s amazingly diverse research and not on his likeness. He had to find artistic metaphors to illustrate these. Given the pioneering work of Tyndall and the breadth and reach of his work internationally, the artwork had to be impactful and powerfully reference to his scientific achievements that communicate visually and indelibly Tyndall’s scientific legacy. The design concept contains key linkage of John Tyndall to the current climate crisis, consideration of this and the educational awareness Tyndall. Tyndall founded the science of light scatter (nephelometer) and the explanation for the colour of the sky (Tyndall Blue), sunrises/sunsets, colour and phenomena of clouds and milk (Tyndall white scatter)- Nephelometry. He was a famous mountaineer and co-founder of the scientific discipline glaciology. The sculpture contains material, visual and conceptual references, combining new artistic strategies to explain the breadth and reach of Tyndall’s work to highlight his scientific legacy. Sander decided to use of the local blue Carlow limestone as an appropriate link to Tyndall’s glaciological studies and work in several ways and connecting to the Victorian Age debates on the colour of ice (blue) and its role in evolutionary theory. A mirror polished stainless steel sheet reflects the sky onto the earth in the middle of the cut stone. The resulting chamber contains a small vessel filled with water to demonstrate the Tyndall effect and simulate the magic blue light in some caves by the sea. Tyndall`s recurrent theme of light and water is highlighted within the concept. Sander states:” I want to redirect the viewers gaze to possible inspirations for Tyndall`s achievements. The sculpture sits on the ground, yet looks towards the sky and into the depth, and therefore signifies the potential for humans to equally set their sights above and at the same time into the inherent mechanism of nature as a sublime union of elemental forces.