When the sun stands still takes the solstice as a starting point to explore notions of extended duration. The word solstice describes the two points of the year during which the sun is at the greatest distance from the equator. Solstice occurs twice a year, with the winter solstice marking the date at which Earth’s axis is the furthest from the sun, giving us the longest night of the year and the summer solstice marks the longest period of daylight. In Aotearoa in 2024, winter solstice occurs on 21 June at 8.50am. Summer solstice occurs on 21 Dec, 10.20pm.

In domestic spaces, sunlight, or more accurately daylight, is something that we orientate ourselves around. Houses in Aotearoa often prioritise a North facing position in order to maximise the benefits of the sun for warmth and light. But what is the face of a house? How does our house help us face the light, both literally and poetically? What are the benefits of facing this light, feeling its warmth and understanding its duration from solstice to solstice? How aware are each of us as to the orientation of the spaces we occupy, and the impact that has on our everyday life and existence? Through this work, I am interested in bringing celestial rhythms into relation with the rhythms and routines of everyday life, including but not limited to; opening and closing curtains, doors and windows, sitting with tea on a porch or deck, waiting for enough sun to be able to mow the lawns or harvest the garden, knowing which walls face which way, understanding the creep of shadows from winter solstice to summer solstice, being in different attunement with sunlight in our living space as a Lightbox creates an unknown image.

Open call to host a Lightbox
Twelve Lightboxes (resembling a standard picture frame) have been produced, and we are looking for a temporary home (and host) for each lightbox from winter to summer solstice. Hosts must:

• Be located in Tāmaki Makaurau
• Have permission to position or hang a lightbox facing North in their domestic residence
• Be willing for the artist to visit their home for installation and removal.

In late December 2024, the lightboxes will be collected and the works they contain will be prepared for exhibition in Window Gallery in early 2025.

Email whenthesunstandsstill@gmail.com with your name, address and any other relevant details if you are interested in hosting a Lightbox.

Artist Bio
Spatial practitioner Emily O’Hara’s interdisciplinary practice emerges through extended duration works, particularly in relation to the rhythms and repetitions of life and death. She explores ideas of the feminine, the maternal and the domestic interior, and how the everyday offers a space through which to consider inter-generational and inter-spatial connection.