New relations between a clock and a person


時計と人との新しい関係 展

Art zone,  Kyoto     2018

--From the text of the exhibition introduction-- 


A wall clock is an interesting tool.


We can read the time on a clock in as little as two seconds, so we probably only look at it for about 10 seconds a day.

Although the clock is looked at only for 10 seconds a day, it is always moving, even if we don't know it.

And even though it is only for 10 seconds, I can say it is a tool that is sure of looking at.


Is there any other tool like that?

In general, tools are usually touched by hand and used for a while.


And nowadays, we can tell the exact time by looking at our smartphones without having to look at a clock.

But why have wall clocks and table clocks not disappeared?


A clock is such a mysterious tool.

In this exhibition, we present the results of our exploration of table clocks and wall clocks through the use of design.


We explore clocks deeply on the two axes of how a tool affects a person and how a person affects a tool, redefining the role of a clock and giving it a new shape and function.

What kind of form and function emerge when a university looks at a clock as a research project? I believe that you will find a clock that you cannot see on the market, that will surprise you, but that will also make you say, "I see."


Today, when various tools are becoming integrated with smartphones and contained in buildings, and are losing their form, this is the result of a quest to reconsider the relationship between tools and people.


Takaaki Oe



――展示会  ご案内の文章より――

掛け時計というのは、,面白い道具です。


私達は2秒もあれば時計を読めるので、一日にそれを見る時間はたぶん10秒くらいです。

一日に10秒しか見られないけれど、人知れず時計は動き続けています。

そして、10秒とは言え確実に見られるとも言える道具です。


そんな道具が、他にあるでしょうか?

大体道具といえば手で触れたり、使い出したら暫くの間は使い続けられるのが常です。


また今は、時計を見なくても、スマホを見れば正確な時間は分かります。

でも、掛け時計や置時計は無くならないのは,なぜでしょうか?


そんな、不思議な道具ともいえる時計。

今回は置時計と掛け時計について、デザインを使って探求した結果を展示します。


道具が人に与える影響 と 人が道具に与える影響 という二つの軸で時計を深堀りし、時計の役割を再定義しつつ新たな形と機能を与えます。

大学が研究として時計を捉えた時、どんな形と機能がそこに現れるのでしょうか?

市場では見ることのできない、「おおー!」と驚く、でも「なるほど」と納得もできる、そんな時計に出会えると思います。


様々な道具がスマホと一体化し、また建築物に内包され,その形を失っていきつつある現代で、

改めて物と人との関係を考え直す探求の成果です。


 大江 孝明


With students joining my study group.   勉強会に参加した学生達と。