Clay Project: The Beacon

The Beacon was a concept I conjured when I was sitting in the library one day. The room was a place of hustle and bustle and not quiet at all - contrary to libraries anywhere else. As I squinted my eyes to the frantic students rapidly walking about, I imagined waves in an ocean. They flowed in and out and were huddled in pods either gaming, talking excitedly, or working on homework.

The back window across the entrance housed few, if any students. The back tables were void of any occupants. It reminded me of a shining beacon bright light from the window that illuminated the room. The beacon would interact with the space through light shining through the lighthouse. The library was chosen as the location because it’s a metaphorical “sea of knowledge” represented through the students. Also, even though the library can be busy, there are many areas of calm just like in the scene of a lighthouse amidst a storm.

The short story that accompanies my piece:

The Beacon was never really noticed.

One day, a voyager set off on an expedition across the Great Ocean. A solo journey no less, as ambitious as it sounds. The ocean dared sailors to try their luck at the unforgiving rocks.

After heading North, he suddenly veered off course and found himself at the mercy of the ferocious waves. Struck with fear, the man steadied his oar and battled the churning water until he suddenly noticed a flash in the corner of his eye. He turned to see a grand, shining lighthouse among the chaotic waves. With the help of the beam of light, the man quickly navigated his way to the shore.

With a heaving chest, the man swam to shore. He then exclaimed to the towering structure, “Oh thank you! I am so grateful!”

After a moment of silence, it spoke. “It’s my job.”

Undaunted by the curt response, the man continued, “You saved my life! How can I ever repay you?”

It hesitated, but finally replied, “Well, I’m feeling awfully lonely, I would love for people to visit.”

So off the voyager went, around the land and preaching of this mighty beacon that saved his life. Soon, sailors started to drop by the coasts where the beacon had laid its home, knowing it would be a safe journey. Days, turned into months, into years. Time after time, sea wayfarers would pay their respects to the ancient lighthouse. Some refreshed the chipping paintwork, others tipped their hats in greeting. The lighthouse was happy as it could be.

But good things don’t always last.

Sailors soon started to forget it was there. The interior started to deteriorate and the lighthouse was a shadow of its former glory. The lighthouse wondered where its former admirers went. Even when a primitive lizard destroyed the walls, nobody even cared.

It was never really noticed until you, a casual onlooker, did.