Paper Clock
Przemysław Jasielski (PL)
installation, 2017

“Paper Clock” is a fully functional clock made entirely out of paper. It is based on a traditional clockwork movement without any additional drive, but adapted to the needs of the project. The artist combines experiments both with paper as an impermanent and obsolescent matter and searching for alternative solutions in engineering work with the machine.

Monumental, wind-up clock is supposed to be a tool for precise measure of reality, but the one presented is useless: it tells the time incorrectly and its shield is invisible for the viewer. Furthermore, contrary to the tradition, it is not lifelong clock because of the impermanence of paper, so its life expectancy is only for the duration of the exhibition. Its sense, conditioned by the denial, is an exemplification of the resistance towards the homogeneous development of the European culture and fitting men into rationality schemes.

The ironic game of “resistance to the system” by knowingly committing an error fosters searching for new solutions. That resistance is important for the arts and science because of alternative ways of development. In the age of efficiency and commodification, the useless clock becomes part of the everyday world used for artistic reflection; however, its purpose is not to counteract technologies, but to use critical thinking to provide a positive conclusion, encouraging conscious functioning in the technological culture.

Przemysław Jasielski (PL), born in 1970, artist based in Poznan, Poland, combining art with science and technology. He creates installations, objects, drawings and photographs. In the creative process he approaches work with the attitude of an engineer, adapting the precise planning and scientific research, with the main focus on the conceptual content. Many of these works explore rituals of the everyday reality taking up a specific game with the imagination and wisdom of a viewer, with his habits shaped by daily routine of the contemporary world and his own presence in it. Most of them are both in close relation to the space and interactive – the spectator is allowed to play with them or even to change their shape. His works confront the actual present reality with its transformation to allow the viewer to observe it in a new, fresh way. They often try to take actions commonly seen as impossible, useless or ineffective. They usually contain a specific, critical sense of humour. Jasielski took part in several exhibitions all over the world, among others, one man shows such us Paper Bridge Over Stone Water at Tokyo Wonder Site (Tokyo, Japan, 2012), Analog Immigration at CSU Galleries (Cleveland OH, USA, 2013), and group shows: Apparat. Retrogression Through Technological Progress at The Sculpture Center (Cleveland OH, USA, 2016), L’arte differente: MOCAK al MAXXI at MAXXI (Rome, Italy, 2016).