Kolik je hodin? / What time is it? – Chybík Josef, Rujbr Oldřich (2020)

The work built in the center of the South Moravian exhibition and university city is accompanied by a number of names. It is referred to as a clock multifunctional machine, a time machine, or a timepiece. However, in various press releases and articles, the frequently used term is 'orloj'. Is this correct? From a historical perspective, the noun 'orloj' originally referred to all clocks on buildings. Later, it referred to medieval tower clocks, which were expected to show the current time along with the position and relationship of the Sun with the Moon and other celestial bodies. They were always intricately constructed devices shaped by people with quality knowledge of mathematics, geometry, astronomy, and mechanics. Their exceptional nature was also emphasized by the fact that alongside them, outstanding artists contributed to give them a unique expression. The resulting work then gained not only the attributes of an exceptional technical product but also that of a valuable artistic piece that has endured for centuries. Among the famous Czech and Moravian examples, one can simply mention the Old Town Hall Astronomical Clock in Prague or the clock in Olomouc. The clock in Litomyšl, the smaller clock from the New Town Hall in Prostějov, or the clock from Uherský Brod are also worth noting. For the classification of the Brno work...