Maarten Baas: Real Time
Maarten Baas, born February 19th, 1978, is a Dutch Designer who is located in the southwest and central region of the Netherlands. Baas is considered to be one of the most influential Dutch designers of the 21st century, and he is recognized as an “author designer,” his pieces lying on the boundaries between art and design. Because of his work, he has gained an independent position in the design world. His work varies; from conceptual designs to installations and theater design. The work he produces can be described as “rebellious, playful, intellectual, theatrical, and artistic.” His works are major museum pieces, and you can find installations at the MoMa, Victoria & Albert Museum, Les Arts Decoratifs, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and many more.
“Real Time,” is a series that combines many different elements of art and design, and this is what makes it so significant and interesting. Each video was recorded and unedited; making each scene portray the exact same amount of time that it took to film. Baas messes around with the idea that these videos show the hands of time are literally moved in real time. Each video has a duration of 12 hours, thus each video takes 12 hours to film and 12 hours to watch, creating a hyper-realistic representation of time. The Schipol Clock in particular, Baas pulled inspiration from the “faceless men who sweep, clean, and work at an airport in their blue overalls.”
“Real Time,” is a series of Baas’s that encompasses his range of execution. With this series, Baas combines elements of theatre, art, film, and design. The series launched in 2016 in Amsterdam, and you can find installations in many different areas. One of the installations is the “Schiphol Clock,” which is located at the Salone Del Mobile in Milan, Italy. This clock is the latest edition to be released in the series. The series, “Real Time,” also includes the “Sweeper’s Clock,” the “Grandfather Clocks,” and the “Analog Digital Clock.” All pieces use this same idea and use of different elements of art and design, but in their own unique way. Each installation includes videos of individuals adjusting the time, whether it be with paint in the Schipol Clock, or two handymen sweeping trash for 12 hours in the Sweeper’s Clock.
