The Concept
Time is both a human construct and a universal constant — the ticking of civilization and the ticking of the cosmos. The Sound of Time explores this duality across scales that dwarf human experience: from the sweep of a seconds hand to the Precession of the Equinoxes, the 25,920-year cycle of Earth's axial wobble that carries us through every zodiac constellation.
We are now crossing from the Age of Pisces into Aquarius — a threshold that feels uncannily resonant with the moment humanity finds itself in. What unimaginable marvels await us in the millennia ahead?
This piece is designed to give us that perspective: beyond our daily lives, beyond our lifetimes, into the deeper rhythm of existence on Earth.
The Sculpture
The sculpture is currently being built at the Generator in Reno, NV, to debut at Burning Man 2026, and will then go on display as public art at an undisclosed venue. Built from steel, aluminum, and wood, The Sound of Time is a monumental mechanical clock tower that simultaneously tracks three time scales: the 24-hour day, the 365-day zodiac year, and the 25,920-year galactic cycle.
Two swinging pendulums drive a traditional escapement — the regulating heartbeat of any mechanical clock — now experienced for the first time at this scale. An array of gears moves at varying speeds, each with its own level of intricacy and detail. As the gears turn, they strike gongs, bells, chimes, and strings at different intervals, composing an ever-shifting ambient symphony. Four large lanterns anchor the corners of the base, casting light across the structure after dark.
The mechanics, materials, and design are intended to evoke a timeless relic — ancient and mysterious, like the Sphinx — ticking patiently while civilizations rise and fall around it.
Interactivity
Participants are invited inside. The base of the tower is a walk-through space where visitors can stand directly beneath the mechanics and the double pendulum. The gears can be examined from multiple angles outside the structure, and a ladder may offer access to a small balcony closer to the turning gears.
Most importantly: the clock must be wound. Participants will be responsible for keeping the spring wound throughout the event — ensuring that time is properly kept for all of humanity, at least for the duration of Black Rock City.
