Stockholm studio Humans Since 1982 has combined 288 analogue clocks to create an installation of shifting monochrome patterns, lettering and numbers (+ movie).
Called A Million Times, the piece by Humans Since 1982 for Victor Hunt Designart Dealer features 576 motors to drive each minute and hour hand independently.
The patterns created by the rotating black hands against the white clock faces are controlled via customised software on an iPad.
This piece follows on from the designers' Clock Clock project from 2009, which used 24 analogue clocks to spell out the time like a digital display.
"With this installation, Humans since 1982 finalised the clock projects and their escape from a solely pragmatic existence," says Victor Hunt.
"Locked in its functionality to show the time, the natural character inherent to an analogue clock - with its two arms constantly dancing in slow motion around the center - unveils hidden figurative qualities without denying its primary purpose."
The new piece will be presented at Design Days Dubai from 18 to 22 March 2013.
Humans Since 1982 was founded by Per Emanuelsson of Sweden and Bastian Bischoff of Germany in 2008 while they were studying at Högskolan för Design och Konsthantverk (HDK) in Gothenburg, Sweden. Their other projects include a lounger that incorporates a crucifix and a hair clip with eyes on to make the wearer look like they're standing the other way round and wearing a niqāb headdress. See all work by Humans Since 1982.
Based in Brussels, Victor Hunt represents young designers including Tom Price, Kwangho Lee and Maarten De Ceulaer. We also ran a series of movies the gallery made about the processes behind the design pieces it promotes, called Tales of the Hunt. See all our stories about design at Victor Hunt Designart Dealer.
Other unusual clocks on Dezeen include a film of two men with brooms pushing debris to form moving clock hands by Maarten Baas and another that only tells the time when you feel its face. See all clock designs.
Credits:
Designer and producer: Humans since 1982
Engineering: David Cox
Editor: Victor Hunt Designart Dealer
Dimension of installation: 344cm x 180cm x 5cm
Number of single clocks: 288
Number of installed motors: 576
Material: aluminium + electric components
Electricity: standard 100-240V, 50-60Hz socket
Operation system: customized software to be controlled via iPad
Finish: powder coated white + black hands, screen printed dials