In Hoc Signo

With thanks to the spectacular skills of Lunts Castings Ltd., we are extremely proud to announce the hotly awaited arrival of a stellar piece of art for Byrga Geniht's portfolio. In Hoc Signo is a work in two pieces, crafted from hot-cast bronze and gilded, born from a collaboration between James D. Wenn, James Syrett and established sculptor Jacob Chandler.

Without every member of this art team, this triumph would not have been possible. Teamwork and community are at the heart of Byrga Geniht's art life, and social harmony is at the heart of the meaning of In Hoc Signo through its veneration of the allegory of the rhombic dodecahedron — a complicated and subtle form that can tessellate 3D space. There are two rhombic dodecahedra hidden within each piece — at the intersection of the beams, and within the cube and within the octahedron of the respective bases. In Hoc Signo means 'in this sign' in Latin. The phrase also references 'In hoc signo vinces' (in this sign shall ye conquer), the words given by God to Constantine the Great alongside a vision of a Cross or an Iota Chi made of light that inspired his troops to win the Roman Empire, and Constantine himself to legalise Christianity in the Edict of Milan.

The iconography of the visions of light, the Cross, the Iota Chi and the rhombic dodecahedron inspired centuries of British philosophers and artists. Britain is where Constantine raised his army, and he was crowned in York. We were delighted to take these first images of In Hoc Signo at Soulton Hall, where the architecture of the house as well as its ancient furniture speak both to the geometry and the play of light central to this vital tradition. Long may it continue to inspire us all and lead us to great things!

The photoshoot at Soulton was part of a private symposium highlighted in another blog post. A public debut of this and other artwork is being arranged within 2025, details TBA.