Then Now Beyond – An Interpretation Of Time

Hour Glass Commissions Four Objets d’art For 40th Anniversary

Time is universal, yet entirely subjective. Perception of time across the world is varied, with the Western norm of linear time following a strict progression of events, contrasting with a more cyclical perspective prevalent in the Eastern hemisphere, with time seen as relative and as an ever-changing condition.

Time can be seen as scarce, and thus precious, or it can be perceived as unlimited, constantly refreshed and recycled. How we perceive time affects our approach to the world around us.

The Hour Glass , one of Asia’s luxury watch retail groups, has pioneered the awareness and appreciation of horological culture, and endeavours to be the watch world’s leading cultural retail enterprise, making it the primary port of call for all enthusiasts and collectors alike. To that end, the Hour Glass invited some of the leading figures in the fields of contemporary art and design to explore and engage with differing perceptions of time. Then Now Beyond presents these findings with a series of commissioned objets d’art, each seeking to challenge our relationship with the past, the present and the future. This exhibition is presented on the occasion of The Hour Glass’ 40th Anniversary.

Daniel Arsham – Bronze Hourglass

Born in 1980, New York based artist Daniel Arsham straddles the lines between fine art, architecture, performance, design and film. His work has included collaborations with renowned artists, musicians, designers and brands with his practice exploring the future of technology and digital dematerialization.

Daniel Arsham’s Bronze Hourglass considers our place in time, from a future archeological perspective or through the use of materials such as minerals, crystals, or sand which are associated with time. The hourglass is an object that is expected to measure time through the movement of sand. Presenting this object in the strong and static material of bronze freezes time, inviting the viewer to consider the present moment.

Studio Wieki Somers - Beetle Clock

Studio Wieki Somers was established in 2003 by Wieki Somers and Dylan van den Berg, The studio focuses on providing an enlightened reading of the everyday environment. The studio’s oeuvre distinguishes itself by a sensitivity to materials, technological ingenuity and fantasy. Clients include a great variety of international manufacturers, museums and galleries; with name like Galerie Kreo in Paris and additional clients including Hermès, Alexander Mcqueen, Vitra Design Museum, 2016/Arita and Kvadrat, amongst others.

Their works are part of major museum collections, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Centre Pompidou in Paris, Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

This clock symbolises the ambiguous relationship humans have with nature.

Studies show substantial decline in insect populations with some of the most affected being beetles. Habitat destruction caused by intensive farming and urbanisation, pesticide use and climate change are to blame, and as insects are at the structural and functional base of many ecosystems, time is ticking... And without any action, insect-eating birds and larger mammals will be directly affected by the decline.

Oki Sato - Nendo Cubic Clock

Oki Sato’s Nendo is a design studio specialising in interiors. As Chief Designer, Sato’s designs range from small stationary to large public architecture and established studio spaces in Tokyo and Milan. A multi awarding winning studio, accolades include The 100 Most Respected Japanese (2006) from Newsweek, Designer of the Year (2012) from Wallpaper, Number 1 on Dezeen’s Designers Hot List (2016), Store Design of the Year Award (2017) from World Retail Award, the 2018 Blueprint Award for Design from Blueprint, Industrial Designer (2019) from Design Anthology Awards.

Sato’s interpretation is of a clock that uses two hands sliced from its solid form to convey the time. Only twice a day at 12am and 12pm do the two hands neatly overlap in the vertical orientation. In this position the form is united as one solid cube, as if reset, from this point the clocks hands move forward giving the impression of a reset of the mind.

By using the form of a cube and cutting away into it and not adding any other elements, the resulting clock shows its original appearance only twice a day.

Marc Newson – Klepsydra 30' Blue

Born in Sydney, Newson has lived and worked in Sydney, Tokyo, Paris, and presently resides in London where his company, Marc Newson Limited, has been based since 1997. He has had ongoing collaborations with brands such as Apple, Louis Vuitton, Montblanc, Hermès, Nike, Hennessy, Dom Pérignon, Jaeger-lecoultre, and Beretta, with clients spanning sectors from manufacturing, technology, transportation, fashion and luxury goods. Alongside overseeing his company, Newson holds senior positions at clients’ companies, having been Creative Director of Qantas Airways from 2005-2015, and Designer for Special Projects at Apple.

Following the iconic Hourglass in 2012, Marc Newson has turned his attention to another ancient time instrument and reinterpreted the principles of a ‘water clock’ through the manoeuvring of the original ‘nanoballs’. The new Art piece measures time accurately by controlling the flow of ‘nanoballs’ through a complex mechanism developed entirely in- house.

Each Klepsydra contains over 2.8 million ‘nanoballs’ measuring 0.7mm each, covered with either a fine silver or fine gold coating. Klepsydra is a uniquely crafted art piece specifically made of mouth-blown and handcarved crystal, completed with aluminium and stainless-steel components. To complete the design, Marc Newson’s signature is engraved on the rear handle.