A new art installation has been placed on the flag tower of Balliol College to celebrate its founding of the college 750 years ago.
The temporary installation was commissioned by artists Roger Perkins and Kay Sentence, and is named 1263 after the year that the college was founded.
Taking the form of two illuminated hearts, the commission is a testament to the founder of Balliol College, John de Balliol, and his wife, Dervorguilla.
The installation, constructed from LED lighting, steel, and clear plastic tubing, forms a visual reminder of this piece of Balliol’s history.
When viewed from various positions on Broad Street, 1263 can appear to be both abstract shapes and complete hearts.
One Balliol student commented that the installation is, “a charming and boundary-pushing modern sculpture that looks a bit different depending on where you look at it from.”
They also called it “a touching testament to John de Balliol and Dervorguilla’s love that made the college possible.”
Another student, however, said that it was “a bit of a weird idea executed in a weird way”.
