Jussi Ängeslevä
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Last Clock slitscan visualization showing concentric time-based video traces

Last Clock

Media art and design object

2002

‘Last’ is like a familiar analogue clock, it has a second hand, a minute hand and an hour hand. The hands are arranged as concentric circles and leave a slitscan video trace as they circle. The resulting motion history is an ever changing mandala of past. Depending on the subject in front of the camera feed, rhythms in different time scales are rendered visible and reveal familiar scenery in new light.

We have experimented with the system producing limited edition large format prints, interactive installations in public space and as an app for “retired tablets” at home. These different formats focus on the different qualities of the artwork: analytical, intimate and purely aesthetic reading depending on the context.

The intentional abstraction turns surveillance culture into an aesthetic experience, and hopefully stop the audience to momentary reflect on the perception of time.

View the artwork in a browser.

Last Clock installation in public space
Last Clock display closeup showing slitscan time traces
Last Clock print capturing football match with vivid green field
Last Clock print of sky and clouds in ethereal blue tones
Last Clock print capturing Venice canal scene at night
Last Clock print of Trafalgar Square with blue sky tones
Last Clock print capturing BBC television broadcast with vibrant colors

The artwork was originally conceived at the Royal College of Art together with Ross Cooper and over the years been rewritten several times.

Together with Ross Cooper

Image Credits: Jussi Ängeslevä, Ars Electronica

My role: Artist, Software Developer, Project Management