Framing the Past: The Symbolism of the Bognor Regis Time Portal

The Bognor Regis Time Portal is a public art installation and augmented reality (AR) experience that allows visitors to step back in time to Victorian Bognor Regis. Through the portal, users can view a digitally reconstructed 19th-century beach scene, complete with three-dimensional digital twins of the bathing machines that once lined the beach and a volumetric video avatar of local legend Mary Wheatland, a celebrated lifesaver and bathing machine operator who was a celebrity in her own time. As both a functional gateway to this immersive world and a sculptural object in its own right, the portal serves multiple symbolic and practical purposes.

The Time Portal isn’t just an entryway into an augmented reality experience—it is a carefully designed object imbued with layers of meaning and purpose. Its form, colour, materials, and symbolic role as a threshold were all intentional choices. In this article, I’ll explore the thinking behind the portal’s design and how it came to life.

The Form of the Portal: Ancient Meets Futuristic

The portal’s design draws inspiration from structures that feel both ancient and futuristic, like the monolithic forms of Stonehenge. Its simplicity was deliberate—a balance of visual impact and practicality. Positioned against the natural seafront, the portal was designed to stand out as a bold focal point, sparking curiosity and drawing attention. At the same time, its minimalist design ensures it feels timeless and modern.

Practical considerations were essential to the design. The portal is made from 3mm stainless steel, chosen for its resistance to corrosion and durability in the harsh coastal environment. Positioned on the promenade, it needed to withstand relentless winds, salty air, and even stones kicked up by the shingle beach. Its flat surfaces make it easy to clean and repaint, ensuring it remains in good condition throughout its 18-month lifespan.

Concerns about vandalism also influenced the design. Like many urban areas, the town occasionally faces issues with graffiti. The flat surfaces were chosen not just for their clean aesthetic but also for practical reasons—they make any damage quick and easy to fix. These choices ensured the portal could maintain its impact and symbolic role throughout its time on the seafront.

Ultimately, the portal was designed to be more than just a gateway to the augmented reality experience. It needed to hold its own as a piece of public art, sparking curiosity and admiration. Its elegant, sculptural form stands tall against the openness of the sea and sky, balancing durability with artistic beauty.

Why Red?

Choosing the right colour for the portal was a carefully considered process. Red, with its universal associations of attention, energy, and transformation, was chosen for its ability to draw people in and spark curiosity. The final shade, a BMW automotive paint, offers just the right balance of richness and durability, ensuring the portal makes a bold statement while standing up to the coastal environment.

Red is a colour full of life and meaning. It’s linked to vitality, renewal, and change, concepts that fit perfectly with the portal’s purpose as a gateway to a reconstructed past. It also carries a sense of celebration and power, making it ideal for something designed to captivate and inspire people to stop and enter the AR experience.

This bold red even ties back to the beach’s history. The bathing machines, visible through the portal in augmented reality, were painted with red and yellow stripes. This subtle nod to the past connects the portal’s modern design to its historical roots. By blending a striking, contemporary aesthetic with a respectful nod to local heritage, the portal’s red finish is both inviting and meaningful, encouraging people to step through and explore what lies beyond.

Public Reaction: Provoking Conversation

When the design for the Bognor Regis Time Portal was first unveiled during the application for planning permission, it sparked mixed reactions on social media. In a town like Bognor Regis, where bold and unusual designs are not that common, it’s no surprise that people had questions. Some expressed scepticism, especially about the project’s cost. However, the funding came from cultural grants like Lottery funding, Arts Council England, and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, money allocated specifically for works like this, not for essential services.

While some criticism reappeared when the portal was installed, these voices have largely faded as the portal has drawn tens of thousands of visitors. It’s clear that the Time Portal has had a positive impact on the town, challenging perceptions and starting conversations. My intention was never to upset anyone, and I sincerely hope that the portal has encouraged people to see Bognor Regis—and art itself—in new ways and that they might have a new connection to its heritage.

Ritual, Symbolism, and the Philosophy of the Portal

The portal isn’t just a structure, it’s a doorway that invites people to cross its threshold as part of the experience. This act of stepping through is symbolic, a ritual that marks a transition from the present into the past. Anthropologists like Victor Turner have written about the importance of thresholds in rituals, describing them as spaces where transformation happens. The Time Portal embraces this idea, marking a shift from the everyday to something extraordinary.

This concept of a ceremonial doorway connects the portal to a broader tradition of symbolic structures. Torii gates in Japan mark the transition to sacred spaces. Roman triumphal arches commemorate great victories and new beginnings. Stonehenge, too, may have served as a threshold to spiritual or ritualistic experiences. The Time Portal joins this tradition, acting as a bridge between the past and the present, the physical and the digital.

Interestingly, the augmented reality experience was originally conceived without a physical portal and could have existed only in "thin air." While the digital elements were compelling, it felt like something was missing. Adding the physical portal changed everything. It gave the experience a striking focal point and anchored the intangible in the tangible. This bridge between worlds enhances the experience, making it feel more real, significant, and memorable.

Conclusion: A Portal Beyond the Present

The Bognor Regis Time Portal is more than just a frame for augmented reality. It’s a carefully crafted symbol of transition, curiosity, and artistry. Adding the physical portal was a pivotal decision, transforming the project from an ephemeral digital experience into a tangible work of art that invites people to step into another world.

By creating something that is at once sculptural, functional, and symbolic, the Time Portal offers visitors a sense of connection—to the site, to history, and to themselves. It bridges the gap between the physical and the digital, showing how art and design can transform the way we engage with the past. Whether seen as a striking landmark or experienced as a gateway to Victorian Bognor Regis, the Time Portal stands as a testament to the collective creativity and dedication of everyone who worked to help me bring this vision to life.

Learn more about the project at: www.BRTimePortal.com