1,000 Year Forest Clock, a Monument to Change
Time is fleeting, especially in the span of 1,000 years. How would you convey the passage of time over ten generations as an art piece? Greg Blonder, the former Bell Labs chief scientist has an inventive and elegant solution.
TiWalkMe is a concept design that would have a forest planted along a ribbon of land in order to project “deep-time.” It represents change, as when one section of the forest dies a “tick” of the clock will be reinforced with new trees along the progression. The aim is to bring awareness to a modern, disposable society that has sensationalized a fast and narrow view of the future.
“We must learn to think twice, and act once. TiWalkMe is a place where a thousand years can be experienced as a walk through an ever changing forest. A place to learn and share with others, to better judge and improve our plans before they drift into actions tethered to the past. A forest which is at heart an enormous clock, slowly ticking out the pace of life, resetting our own sense of time and space, with a horizon swept out to a millennia.”
This ambitious project will need to be passed down through generations in order to be a success. So naturally, a few rules are set in place to ensure that goal. It’ll need to be constantly visible and unobstructed, must adapt to future knowledge and needs, and change if it will bring perspective to its visitors.
Now, the search is on for sites and investors. This would be beautiful in an urban setting, but may not prove to be practical considering the value of real estate. Urban communities are high on the list, as the inventor believes that the project would draw in a diverse group of businesses and organizations.
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Kate said
am November 5 2007 @ 8:04 am
I’m into this idea and agree it could be an interesting gigantic urban installation piece (though questionably feasible) – but what a shame that the project has such a horrendous name. I mean, it’s really nonsensical and frankly, annoying (though I can’t place my finger on why at the moment). They need a new PR rep. to fix that, their website, and overall promotion fast.
Another example of a decent product ruined by poor packaging, in my opinion.
Nice find though!
Jerad Kaliher said
am November 5 2007 @ 12:19 pm
@Kate, they really dropped the ball when it came to marketability with that name. It’s such a well thought out project with so many intelligent heavy hitters behind it. Hopefully that little detail will be smoothed out if it ever becomes a reality.
lordmanilastone said
am November 6 2007 @ 3:06 am
I surely want to have one but I doubt if I can afford it. I was watching the video and I think it is indeed a good concept not only conveying you the passage of time but it must be a good piece to look at when dealing with stress.^^
Connie T. said
am November 6 2007 @ 7:34 am
Very cool. Jerad, have you seen this: “10,000 year old clock.” Its an older conception, but I was reminded of it by this project…
Jerad Kaliher said
am November 6 2007 @ 12:24 pm
@Connie T., it seems like these clocks are centered around climate and technological progression. I just don’t have that shiver of sex appeal whenever someone mentioned climate as a key motivation. Perhaps it would bode well for inventors to use a different mindset to attract a wider audience.