marc newson + daniel arsham design timepieces for singapore exhibit

marc newson, daniel arsham, nendo, and studio wieki somers have all designed unique timepieces as part of an exhibition in singapore titled ‘then now beyond’. the four works are on display at malmaison by the hour glass where they will remain on view to the public until january 31, 2020. marc newson and daniel arsham have reinterpreted the water clock and the hourglass respectively for their pieces, while nendo has crafted a cuboid shaped clock. finally, wieki somers has created a timepiece that symbolizes the ambiguous relationship that humans have with nature.

all images courtesy of the hour glass

‘then now beyond’ is being held at malmaison by the hour glass. the hour glass, whose mission is to ‘advance watch culture’, sought out joann tan studio to rejuvenate its 8,000 square feet space on singapore’s orchard road. the exhibition, conceptualized and project-managed by the artling, aims to invite viewers to delve into a journey exploring their relationship with the past, present, and future, challenging our everyday perceptions of time and its limitlessness and boundless cycle.

klepsydra 30′ blue by marc newson

the exhibition’s commissioned artists were selected after a rigorous process presided over by a committee comprising architect david adjaye, international watch specialist aurel bacs, and group managing director of the hour glass michael tay. ‘we are delighted that our passion of the past four decades can be expressed in this single exhibition then now and beyond and, grateful that our various brand partners, artists and designers involved in producing these innovative commissions believed in our project, producing some of the most exciting contemporary three dimensional reflections on the passage of time,’ says michael tay.

klepsydra 30′ blue by marc newson

marc newson’s reinterpretation of a ‘water clock’ accurately measures time by controlling the flow of ‘nanoballs’ through a complex mechanism. each klepsydra contains over 2.8 million nanoballs each measuring 0.7mm, covered with either a fine silver or fine gold coating. klepsydra is a uniquely crafted art piece specifically made of mouth-blown and hand-carved crystal, completed with aluminum and stainless-steel components. to complete the design, marc newson’s signature is engraved on the rear handle.

bronze hourglass by daniel arsham

the work of daniel arsham considers our place in time, from a future archeological perspective or through the use of materials such as minerals, crystals, or sand, which are associated with time. the hourglass is an object that is expected to measure time through the movement of sand. presenting this object in the strong and static material of bronze freezes time, inviting the viewer to consider the present moment.

cubic clock by nendo

nendo has designed a clock that uses two hands sliced from its solid form to convey the time. twice a day, at 12 noon and 12 midnight, the two hands neatly overlap in the vertical orientation. in this position the form is united as one solid cube — giving the impression of a reset of the mind. by using the form of a cube and cutting into it, and not adding any elements, a clock is produced that shows its original appearance only twice each day.

beetle clock by studio wieki somers

the piece designed by studio wieki somers symbolizes the ambiguous relationship humans have with nature. ‘studies show substantial declines in insects populations,’ says the designer. ‘some of the insects most affected are beetles.’ this decline has been attributed to habitat destruction caused by intensive farming and urbanization, pesticide use, and climate change. ‘as insects are at the structural and functional base of many ecosystems time is ticking,’ continues wieki somers. ‘without action birds and larger mammals that eat insects will be directly affected by the decline.’

malmaison by the hour glass

the exhibition also showcases a curated selection of commemorative edition watches developed in tandem with longstanding partners of the hour glass: audemars piguet, chopard, de bethune, franck muller, MB&F, URWERK, ulysse nardin, NOMOS glashütte, sinn, TAG heuer and longines.

project info:

exhibtion: then now beyond
location: malmaison by the hour glass
dates: november 23, 2019 – january 31, 2020