Stonehenge Nighttime Studies

Location Salisbury, UK

Year 2024

Instructor Mohamad Nahleh

Software Rhino 8 Adobe Illustrator Adobe Photoshop

Description

Introduction A critical study of Stonehenge not as a monument, but as a shifting cultural tool. This project traces the transformation of the site from a communal space of "hidden labor" and celestial harmony to a gentrified destination optimized for profit. By examining themes of militarization, commodification, and circadian rhythms, the research highlights the disconnect between ancient craftsmanship and modern industrialized production, urging a reconnection with the natural cycles that once defined human culture.

Drawing 1 — Militarization of The Sky This drawing contrasts the untouched night sky of Stonehenge's ancient era with the cluttered expanse visible today. When Stonehenge was built, the night sky served as an unmediated canvas, a vital tool for navigation, rituals, and understanding seasonal cycles. In that era, the stars were constant, unmarred by human interference. Today, the sky is overwhelmed by human-made elements—aircraft, drones, satellites, and light pollution—which obscure our view of constellations and sever our connection to the celestial bodies we once worshipped.

Drawing 2 — Gentrification Stonehenge, once a sacred gathering place for rituals and community connection, now stands as a symbol of cultural commodification. The site's evolution from a place of spiritual significance to a curated tourist destination illustrates the gentrification of heritage. Visitor centers, gift shops, and ticketed experiences have transformed the night around Stonehenge from one of cultural introspection to commercial activity.

Drawing 3 — Sleep This timeline weaves together key historical moments for Stonehenge with global changes in sleep patterns, revealing their intertwined narratives. Stonehenge, a monument to celestial alignment, likely played a role in harmonizing human activity with natural rhythms. Before industrialization, sleep followed segmented patterns aligned with cycles of light and dark—a rhythm Stonehenge itself may have symbolized.

Drawing 4 — Materials This drawing examines the origins of Stonehenge's megaliths and compares them to the materials used in its modern visitor center, highlighting the transformation of labor practices over time. The construction of Stonehenge required immense collective effort, with stones transported over vast distances through methods that remain partially mysterious. In contrast, the visitor center represents modern labor systems defined by industrialization and global supply chains.

A note from me

[What you noticed while drawing, or why you chose to study the site at night.]