Timekeepers (2015)

Kinetic installation: brass, glass, concave mirror, electric motor, metal, aluminium, sound; variable dimensions approx 100 × 70 × 70 cm

Timekeepers (2015) is a kinetic installation featuring an hourglass made of brass, glass, a concave mirror, and metal. While the hourglass appears to measure time through the flow of sand, it has an intriguing twist: the sand seems to move upward, defying gravity. This illusion is created by a convex mirror that flips the image of the hourglass, making it appear as though the sand is rising. In this way, the sculpture challenges the laws of physics and invites viewers to reconsider the nature of gravity and time. The grains of sand seem to hover, altering our perception of time. An electric motor continuously rotates the hourglass, giving the piece a sense of eternity. At its core, Timekeepers serves as a meditation on time, suggesting that it can flow in unexpected directions. The sand trickles through the glass, creating a space where time feels fluid and elusive. This work captures the paradox of time's certainty and its illusory nature, prompting reflections on how time is experienced in a world where even the most established laws can be questioned.

Credits:
Photo: Jaka Babnik
Construction of mechanical elements: France Petač
Glassblowing: Zvone Drobnič
Electrical engineering: Otto Urpelainen