one mississippi is an iceberg-inspired ceramic timer that measures time as it sinks

while experimenting with the properties of clay, bar ishay created a series of floating ceramic timers shaped like icebergs. when placed in a glass of water, the three timers slowly sink to the bottom in 15, 30 or 60 minutes respectively. the project, named ‘one mississippi’, essentially uses water diffusion to measure time. 

ceramic timer

images courtesy of bar ishay

to create the timers, bar ishay experimented with clay and created a hybrid material mixed with grog – a raw material, also known as chamotte, that contains a high percentage of silica and alumina. the new clay allows increased water passage through the walls of the vessel. water slowly seeps through and when the object fills, it sinks. this discovery led ishay to create an object that functions as a floating timer.

the vessel when placed in water

during the design process, ishay was inspired by natural resources, islands, and icebergs. the concept behind the timers is that once placed in water, the object provides the user with an allotted ‘self-time’, encouraging them to disengage from their surroundings as if on a desert island.

the vessel after it sinks

ishay created different compounds of the clay and each batch resulted in a different rate of water flow. monitoring the flow of water through the object’s wall gave ishay control over the time it took the object to fill and sink. he then decided to produce three timers, distinct for their composite, and thus their sinking time. the timers measure approximately 15, 30 or 60 minutes respectively. they are very durable and can be used repeatedly. users can decide which timer to use based on how long they want their break from the outside world to be.

the experimental process in order to get to the right mixture

hybrid clay components

nature-inspired design, linked to islands and icebergs

project info:

project name: one mississippi

design: bar ishay

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom