P.E.R.S. Boardroom
Mosaic Design #119

Size: 4' x 17' x 1.5"

Off the Clock was inspired by the PERS constituents. Although they are a diverse group of people, representing wide ranging occupations, retirement is their one commonality. They have all prepared thoughtfully for their retirement through their involvement with PERS, and eagerly anticipate life “off the clock”. This piece conceptualizes retirement as a wonderful phase in the journey of life.

The red circular form symbolizes the clock. The silver “hand” points to the 12. A area of tan, in close approximation to the red clock, represents the neutral walls of many offices. The green swath represents life’s path. Green was chosen because of it’s association with the vibrancy of spring, the annual rebirth of life. The blue represents the sky.

At retirement, the clock is no longer a significant dictator of one’s daily routine. This is signified by the clock breaking apart. Those pieces of the clock ultimately come to signify the constituents who, after retirement, are officially “off the clock”. This much anticipated new phase of life (just as spring is anticipated after winter) follows the green "path" into a world defined not by tan walls, but by leisure activities of one's choice. Since golfing and fishing are often alluded to when leisure is discussed, the green path leads the retiree under blue skies. Acknowledging the child inside all of us, the red form at the right represents an exuberant leap in the air with arms outstretched, an expression of delight for the attainment of retirement. A portion of the brown border, also a color associated with a path, intentionally touches the right edge of the design at the bottom. This symbolizes the continuum of life through its many stages.