The exhibition of Julieta Aranda in it University Museum of Contemporary Art (MUAC) promises to be a provocative and deep exploration of the relationship between human being and the time.
Titled “Clear Coordinates for Our Confusion,” the exhibition opens its doors to the public this November 23 and will end on May 11, 2025, and focuses on deconstructing the linear and objective perception of the passage of timeto expose it as a construction that, more than ordering, influences and controls human life.
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Aranda, recognized for its conceptual and multidisciplinary approach, presents a series of works that move between sculpture, video and installation. His pieces interrogate the rigidity of time frames, suggesting that time is not a universal experience, but rather a construction that each culture and organism experiences differently.
One of the most notable works in the exhibition is “You Had No 9th of May!”a work that examines the concept of the international timeline and questions the apparent arbitrariness of the temporal boundaries imposed by human beings.
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Inspired by the time zone change of the Kiribati archipelago, who eliminated a day from his calendar, the piece invites reflection on how temporal conventions do not necessarily reflect the reality of all syou are alive
By doing this, the artist raises a criticism to forced synchronization through the calendar, reminding us that there are ways of life and experiences that simply do not fit into a homogeneous temporal scheme.
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Additionally, the exhibition explores the macro and micro scales of time, from microbiology to space exploration. This variety of approaches allows the visitor to question how they perceive and measure time in their daily lives.
In the artist’s words, humanity is “the animal that gets bored and gives light to time”which reminds us that the perception of time is also a mental construction, deeply influenced by our emotions and social contexts.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
- Clear Coordinates for Our Confusion is an exhibition that not only invites us to reflect on the human perception of time, but also challenges the viewer to question the power structures that use it as a tool of domination.
- It is a call to inhabit questioning and contradiction, reminding us that, in times of forced certainties, perhaps true freedom is found in accepting and embracing ambiguity.
Related
How does Julieta Aranda use different art forms to challenge conventional perceptions of time?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Julieta Aranda, Artist and Expert on Time Perception
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Julieta! It’s a pleasure to have you with us today. Your upcoming exhibition at the University Museum of Contemporary Art, “Clear Coordinates for Our Confusion,” sounds incredibly intriguing. Can you start by sharing what inspired you to explore the theme of time in such a profound way?
Julieta Aranda: Thank you for having me! The inspiration for this exhibition comes from my fascination with how time is perceived differently across cultures and personal experiences. We often think of time as linear and objective, but I wanted to challenge that notion and reveal it as a social construct that deeply influences human life. The rigidity of our calendars and clocks shapes our reality in ways we often overlook.
Time.news Editor: That’s a compelling perspective! In your work, you mention that time is not a universal experience. Could you elaborate on how different cultures perceive time and how you represent that in your exhibition?
Julieta Aranda: Absolutely! Different cultures have unique approaches to time. For example, many Indigenous cultures view time as cyclical rather than linear, emphasizing seasons and natural cycles instead of strict schedules. In my exhibition, I present a series of installations and sculptures that invite visitors to reflect on their relationship with time. One notable piece, “You Had No 9th of May!”, questions the international timeline and the arbitrary boundaries humans impose on time itself.
Time.news Editor: That particular piece sounds fascinating! You mentioned it examines the concept of the international timeline. Can you explain what you mean by that and how it relates to your critique of forced synchronization?
Julieta Aranda: Certainly! The international timeline represents a standardized way of measuring time that doesn’t account for all human experiences. For instance, in 2011, the Kiribati archipelago made headlines by opting to eliminate a day from their calendar to better align with their trading partners. This change made me reflect on how these temporal conventions don’t necessarily represent the reality of everyone living in different contexts. By critiquing this forced synchronization, I hope to encourage a dialog about the fluidity of time and the importance of recognizing diverse temporal experiences.
Time.news Editor: That’s a powerful message. How do you hope visitors engage with your artworks? What experience or reflection do you want to evoke in them?
Julieta Aranda: I want visitors to feel a sense of disorientation and curiosity. My hope is that they will step outside their conventional perceptions of time and question how their lives are structured around these constructs. Through interaction with the artworks, I hope people will reflect on their own experiences and consider how they might relate to time differently. It’s about fostering a deeper understanding of time as a human experience that varies widely.
Time.news Editor: That’s quite thought-provoking. As a conceptual and multidisciplinary artist, how do you mix different forms like sculpture, video, and installation to communicate your ideas about time?
Julieta Aranda: Each medium allows me to approach the subject matter from different angles. Installations can create immersive environments that envelop the audience, while video can convey dynamic narratives around time. Sculpture serves to provoke physical engagement and contemplation. By combining these forms, I hope to create a multi-sensory experience that envelops the viewer, challenging them to consider their relationship with time on multiple levels.
Time.news Editor: I can’t wait to see how all these elements come together in the exhibition. Before we wrap up, what do you hope the legacy of this exhibition will be for viewers and the broader art community?
Julieta Aranda: My hope is that this exhibition will inspire a shift in how we understand and relate to time. I want people to leave feeling empowered to question the arbitrary structures that govern their lives and to engage with the world with more fluidity and openness. For the broader art community, I hope it encourages dialog about time and perception, fostering more interdisciplinary approaches to these themes in contemporary art.
Time.news Editor: Julieta, thank you so much for sharing your insights with us today. Your exhibition sounds like it will be a transformative experience for all who attend. We wish you great success as you open the doors to “Clear Coordinates for Our Confusion.”
Julieta Aranda: Thank you very much! I’m excited to share this exploration with everyone.