from here to tokyo

In September 2003 I took part in the Puddles exhibition in the old Jusshi Square public school building in Kodenmacho, Tokyo.

Before leaving for Japan I constructed a sculpture in my studio in the shape of an arrow, about 1.5 meters long, and pointed it in the correct direction for Tokyo (through the earth, not over the surface).

The arrow was made from used floorboards. It was suspended from the ceiling by wires.

In Tokyo I constructed the opposite arrow, pointing back at Rotterdam. It had exactly the same dimensions.

It was made from semi-opaque plastic material on a rough wooden frame, the edges covered with paper tape.

Positioning the arrows

Location Rotterdam arrow:
51º56'n,4º30'e (decimal: 51.93º n, 4.50º e)

Location Tokyo arrow:
35º42'n,139º47'e (decimal: 35.70º n, 139.78º e)

Angular distance:
84º04' (decimal: 84.06º)

Direction Rotterdam arrow:
35º04' true (decimal: 35.06º)

Direction Tokyo arrow:
334º08' true (decimal: 334.14º)

Downward angle arrows:
42º02' (decimal 42.03º)

Declination Rotterdam: -1º04'
Declination Tokyo: -7º04'