Jeddah Pendulum

Inspired by celebrated astronomer and mathematician Ibn al-Haytham, Pendulum serves as a significant art piece in the International Departures area of Terminal 1 in King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA), Jeddah. Installed in 2019, the Foucault pendulum forms part of a selection of commissioned artworks reflecting the cultural identity of the Middle East. Captivated travelers drawn to the design, often film and share their encounter with the ‘big clock’ as part of their vacation highlights.

Design details

The client brief for the interiors in this new airport was to create an artistic exemplar of commissioned artworks that reflect the cultural identity of the Middle East. David Harber was invited by Areen Design, the interior designers for the project, to submit sculptural artworks, one of which was a huge pendulum.

The 94 inch pendulum has a mirrored surface that is designed both to reflect and distort its surroundings with each swing. Due to the proximity to the equator and to ensure its regularity, the progression and continuity of movement is regulated by an array of robotics and micro-processing. Two mechanisms are used: one to enable it to swing accurately from side to side, another to control its rotational transit.

“As Jeddah is the gateway to Mecca, the airport is a highly charged link between man and faith. The pendulum is a perfect expression of a physical, intellectual and spiritual connection between earth-bound humanity and the heavens above.”

David Harber

Beneath the pendulum is a pedastal incorporating sections which mark the time in five-minute increments. An LED flashes upon the pendulum’s approach and becomes permanently lit until midnight when the sequence restarts