In 2020, during the lockdowns, I created a series of surrealist objects, rope clocks ironically titled Meu > Inimigo (“My greatest enemy”). With these clocks, patiently conceived over many months, I wove symbolic connections between different fields of reflection: humanity’s subjugation to time, the slavery historically endured by “racialised” human beings, and the abusive exploitation of nature. Reversing the direction of the hands gives these clocks a surreal character that underlines human absurdity, but also the possibility of resistance and transformation, running counter to predictions of the end of our civilisation.
The Pillar of Time is a monumental mural project that takes this object out of the gallery and into public space. Besides the clock, other symbols, the sunset, the braid, Maasai patterns, carry political and local meaning in the town of Montreuil. Here the ropes weave the time of the doomsday clock which, spiralling down a disused chimney some 30 metres high, falls back onto nature.
The project won the Révèle ton talent 2021 competition run by Crédit Agricole and CliqueTV.
Technical details
Title The Pillar of Time (Le Pilier du Temps)
Years 2021-2023
Type Mural project on a disused chimney
Dimensions Column of approx. 30 metres
Location Montreuil
Award Winner of the Révèle ton talent 2021 competition, Crédit Agricole and CliqueTV
Links Winners announcement, CliqueTV; Révèle ton talent 2021, Crédit Agricole
The project in images
