Ugo Rondinone’s our magic hour (2003) is a vibrant rainbow made from aluminium, glass and neon that lights up the night. The phrase “our magic hour” is a short poem written by Rondinone himself. The work is part of his Rainbow Poems series and was originally commissioned to decorate the facade of the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia in Sydney in 2003.

Humans have always been fascinated by the rainbow, an element in nature that is not only beautiful but also unattainable – something we can admire but never quite reach. In contrast to the fleeting natural phenomenon, Rondinone’s rainbow is always present. It’s artificial, resembling a glowing neon sign. This way, the artist plays with how we perceive natural phenomena when removed from their original context.

The playful brevity of the poem invites you to reflect on what “the magic hour” means for you. As a gay man, Rondinone also sees the rainbow as a symbol of the Pride movement and the LGBTQIA+ community. In this sense, the "magic hour" becomes a dream for a future filled with liberation, inclusion and tolerance.