Aeon is a monumental sculptural installation by David Spriggs installed above opposing escalators in the atrium of Simcoe Place in Toronto. Composed of layered aluminum sheets cut into diminishing geometric forms. These layers radiate inward toward an offset central void, forming a concave, eye-like structure that shifts in appearance as viewers move around it. The artwork uses Spriggs’ strata construction method to create an illusion of depth through physical layering.
Inspired by the Greek word aion, meaning age or eternity, Aeon visualizes time as a continuum rather than a linear sequence. The eye-like form functions as both a structural device and a perceptual symbol, a portal that draws viewers into a contemplative experience. While known for his transparent installations, Spriggs uses aluminium here to introduce architectural weight and permanence, enhancing the piece’s reflective interplay with light.
The work invites reflection on the tension between material and void, and encourages multi-perspective viewing, echoing Gestalt principles where separate forms coalesce into a unified whole. Aeon transforms architectural space into an experiential encounter with vision, presence, and the passage of time.
Artwork Commission for Simcoe Place, Cadillac Fairview through Paul Kyle Gallery.
