The Circadian Circle

Our natural body clocks are programmed to respond to light. In some people, dropping light levels in autumn and winter disrupt our internal clock, or circadian rhythm, setting off a depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder. Éléonore Delisse designed a timepiece that uses light to rebalance our daily cycle. A dichroic glass rotates slowly above a lamp to create different colours. The clock is set to generate a blue hue in the mornings, to lessen melatonin production and stimulate wakefulness. In the evenings a warm amber glow sets off melatonin production and makes you drowsy.