In Hoc Signo, gold plated bronze cast sculpture photographed outside Soulton Hall
In Hoc Signo, gold plated bronze cast sculpture photographed outside Soulton Hall
In Hoc Signo, gold plated bronze cast sculpture photographed outside Soulton Hall
In Hoc Signo, gold plated bronze cast sculpture photographed outside Soulton Hall
In Hoc Signo, gold plated bronze cast sculpture photographed outside Soulton Hall
In Hoc Signo, gold plated bronze cast sculpture photographed outside Soulton Hall
In Hoc Signo, gold plated bronze cast sculpture photographed outside Soulton Hall

In Hoc Signo

Jacob Chandler, is pleased to share the arrival of In Hoc Signo, a culturally significant new work. This sculpture, created in collaboration with James D. Wenn and James Syrett of Byrga Geniht, explores the interplay of geometry, light, and symbolism.

The cultural and historic symbolism at play within In Hoc Signo results in a powerful visual representation of ancient wisdom, this materialisation of complex thought into tangible form, aids communication. Art has long been used to convey such complexities and Chandler is delighted to be part of the team that illuminated this fascinating rediscovery of lost knowledge. The sculpture pays homage to the rhombic dodecahedron—a complex form capable of tessellating 3D space. Within each piece, two hidden rhombic dodecahedra emerge: one at the intersection of the beams, the other embedded in the cube and octahedron bases.

The title, In Hoc Signo, translates to "in this sign" in Latin, referencing the divine vision granted to Constantine the Great—In hoc signo vinces (“in this sign, you shall conquer”). This moment, marked by a Cross or Iota Chi of light, shaped history by guiding Constantine to victory and leading to the Edict of Milan, which legalized Christianity.

The imagery of light, the Cross, and the rhombic dodecahedron has influenced British philosophers and artists for centuries. Given that Constantine raised his army in Britain and was crowned in York, it felt profoundly fitting to document In Hoc Signo at Soulton Hall. The Hall’s architecture and historic furnishings beautifully reflect the sculpture’s themes of geometry and illumination.

The cube’s faces, in turn, invite the viewer to perceive the 8-pointed auseklis star, echoing patterns seen in Renaissance thought, and even Shakespeare’s As You Like It, which references these harmonies in dance and movement as previously considered in Chandler’s Work “Manifestations of the Dance of Harmony.”

In Hoc Signo will continue to spark thought and reflection, connecting the past with the present through art and ceremony. “Working on In Hoc Signo was a deeply rewarding process, allowing me to contribute to a project that is as much about perception and philosophy as it is about physical form.” The artwork stands as both homage to Renaissance thought and an invitation to contemporary audiences to engage with the profound geometric principles that have shaped our understanding of religion, philosophy and architecture throughout history.