T+1×n (Falling Leaves), 2023

72 x 27 x 8 cm, 10kg
Copper, steel, spring steel, PLA, acrylic glass, glass, wood, electric motor with electronics, various screws and nuts.
battery powered or with 5V power supply, glazing, back

A satinized acrylic glass plate serves as an image carrier for twelve dials with spring steel hands and copper falling leaves. The hands are moved by means of sprockets and a chain driven by an electric motor at a speed of 0.5 revolutions per minute.

The mechanism of the falling leaf was modeled on analog chess clocks. However, here the thin hand bends, so that it takes longer for the falling leaf to fall back into its original position. This delays the passing of the time limit and draws attention to the subjective perception of time.
As the falling leaf also marks the passing of the twelve, it also illustrates a constantly repeating countdown, which can also be seen as a metaphor for the transience of life.

The decelerated movement of the hand and the observation of the falling leaves also has a contemplative aspect reminiscent of Duchamp‘s bicycle wheel:
„To set the wheel turning was very soothing, very comforting, a sort of opening of avenues on other things than material life of every day. I liked the idea of having a bicycle wheel in my studio. I enjoyed looking at it, just as I enjoyed looking at the flames dancing in a fireplace.“ [Marcel Duchamp, quoted in Schwarz, Arturo: The Complete Works of Marcel Duchamp. p. 588.]

Many thanks to Jakob Scheid for his helpful advice.