Historical Time is a public clock, differing from conventional clocks by running on decimal time. The day is divided into 10 decimal hours; the decimal hour is divided into 100 decimal minutes; the decimal minute is divided into 100 decimal seconds.
Various decimal time systems have been in use through history, the most well known being French Revolutionary Time which was in use for a short period during the French Revolution. Historical Time follows this timekeeping convention.
The clock, designed for the site, is permanently installed at the Faculty of Humanities, University of Bergen, Norway. Inside the building, a series of prints relating to the topics of time and measurement are installed.
Commissioned by KORO/Public Art Norway.
Clockwork: Smith of Derby and Johannes Lavoll.
-
Historical Time, decimal clock. Atrium, Faculty for Humanities, UiB.
-
Historical Time. Prints. Entrance hall, Faculty for Humanities, UiB. Photo: Jon Benjamin Tallerås.
-
L’an 237, digital print, 56x76 cm. French republican calendar for the year 237. Photo: Jon Benjamin Tallerås.
-
År 2028. digital print, 56x76 cm. ISO standard calendar for the year 2028. Photo: Jon Benjamin Tallerås.
-
Revolutions in Time, screen print, 76x56 cm, from the series Words and Years. Photo: Jon Benjamin Tallerås.
-
Conventions in Time, screen print, 76x56 cm, from the series Words and Years. Photo: Jon Benjamin Tallerås.
