ShangKan: A Deceptive Clock with Hidden Functionality

Unveiling the Unique Design of Kevin Chu

Kevin Chu, the mastermind behind this innovative design, drew inspiration from a UFO sighting picture taken in New Mexico in 1992. His goal was to create a clock that defies convention and challenges the way we perceive time.

The ShangKan Clock is a true masterpiece of deception. At first glance, it appears to be a peculiar sculpture, but upon closer inspection, its true functionality is revealed. The candle holding arms can rotate, changing the physical geometry of the design. It also doubles as an iPhone docking station and speaker, providing both audio entertainment and ambient lighting.

But how does it tell time? The answer lies in a circular mirror that is placed on the ceiling directly above the clock. The reflection on the mirror reveals that the candle holder arms act as time indicators, with one of the structure support legs marking the midday/midnight position. The edge of the mirror becomes the numerical time indication position.

The ShangKan Clock challenges users to become "hidden function detectives" as they uncover its true purpose. It is a testament to the idea that a designer product does not need to expose all its secrets to the user. The reward lies in the discovery of its extra "Easter Egg" functionality.

Technically, the ShangKan Clock is a marvel. It is made of polished stainless steel mechanical candle holder swing arms, with a recycled rattan/bamboo fiber speaker mesh. The clock is available in various finishes, including lacquer and texturized recycled A.B.S thermoplastic.

Standing at a height of 1100mm with a radius of 600mm, the ShangKan Clock is a statement piece that demands attention. Its central iPhone speaker dock has a radius of 130mm, providing a sleek and functional charging station.

The ShangKan Clock is not just a design; it is an experience. Its interaction is simple yet captivating. Your iPhone, iPod, or iPad can be mounted on the top of the cylindrical structure, serving as a charging station. The bottom structure houses a 25w tweeter and subwoofer box, projecting audio through the rattan/bamboo speaker mesh in a 360-degree direction, creating dynamic 3D sound.

The three polished stainless steel swing arms can hold variable radius candles, with the shortest arm acting as the hour hand, the medium-length arm as the minutes hand, and the longest arm as the seconds hand. As these arms continuously move according to the time of day, the frontal aesthetic of the structure constantly changes.

The ShangKan Clock is a testament to Kevin Chu's creativity and ability to push the boundaries of design. It challenges our preconceived notions of what a clock should look like and invites us to explore the hidden functionality within.

Since its inception in May 2011 in Beijing, China, the ShangKan Clock has garnered recognition and accolades. In 2012, it was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Furniture Design category. This prestigious award recognizes designs that exhibit strong technical and creative skills while contributing to quality of life improvements.

The ShangKan Clock is a true masterpiece that combines art, design, and technology. It is a symbol of innovation and a testament to the power of deception and discovery in product design. Welcome to the new world of the ShangKan Clock, where time is not just told but experienced.