A captivating art installation at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, affectionately dubbed the ‘Human Watch’ by travelers, has become the latest sensation to sweep across social media. An Indian tourist’s video showcasing the unique timepiece has gone viral, sparking widespread admiration for its ingenious design and artistic merit.
The Viral Phenomenon
The initial spark for this global buzz originated from a video shared by Indian traveler SK Ali on Instagram. His amazement at the ‘Human Watch’ quickly resonated with millions, as the clip garnered over a million views, propelling the artwork into trending news cycles. Social media platforms were flooded with reactions, ranging from awe at the creativity to humorous commentary on the mesmerizing, never-ending task of the depicted figure. This viral surge has transformed the art piece into a must-see attraction for anyone passing through the Netherlands’ main international hub, cementing its status as a top trending feature at the airport.
‘Real Time’: An Artistic Masterpiece at Schiphol
The installation, officially titled ‘Real Time,’ is a signature work by acclaimed Dutch artist Maarten Baas. It artfully subverts traditional timekeeping by featuring a 12-hour looped video. Within a large, translucent clock face, an actor – reportedly Tiago Sa da Costa or Baas himself in various iterations – is seen meticulously erasing and redrawing the clock’s hands every minute. This performance creates a powerful illusion of a dedicated individual perpetually painting time, making for a mesmerizing and thought-provoking display.
Designed to be both a functional clock and an engaging piece of art, ‘Real Time’ challenges conventional notions of time. The visual of a figure laboring to update the minutes emphasizes the continuous, often laborious, passage of time, offering a stark contrast to the instantaneous digital displays common today. The artwork’s design, featuring a man in blue overalls with a red bucket and yellow rag, pays homage to the iconic color palette of Dutch artist Piet Mondrian and the uniforms of airport workers, adding layers of cultural and contextual depth.
Maarten Baas: The Visionary Behind the Clock
Maarten Baas, born in 1978, is a leading figure in contemporary Dutch design, known for his rebellious, intellectual, and theatrical style that blurs the lines between art and design. A graduate of the Design Academy Eindhoven, Baas gained international recognition with his early ‘Smoke’ and ‘Clay’ series, where he manipulated classic furniture through burning and hand-sculpting techniques. His ‘Real Time’ series, launched in 2009, is perhaps his most celebrated, combining theater, art, film, and design to create dynamic timepieces. Baas’s work is held in major museum collections worldwide, including MoMA in New York and the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, and he was named ‘Designer of the Year’ in 2009.
The ‘Real Time’ concept, and specifically the Schiphol Clock, was inspired by Baas’s observations of airport employees and the inherent connection between travel and time. The filming of the ‘Real Time’ videos typically takes 12 hours, mirroring the duration they play, reinforcing the literal interpretation of ‘real time’ in filmmaking. This meticulous approach underscores Baas’s dedication to creating art that is not just visually striking but also conceptually rich.
Schiphol’s Commitment to Art and Travel
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol has long integrated art into its environment, aiming to enhance the passenger experience beyond mere transit. The airport houses a diverse collection of artworks, often featuring prominent Dutch artists, to provide travelers with cultural enrichment and a sense of place. The ‘Real Time’ clock, installed in Lounge 2, serves as a significant point of interest, offering millions of international travelers a glimpse into innovative Dutch artistry. It stands as a modern icon, complementing other art features within the airport and aligning with Schiphol’s vision of being an airport that surprises and delights its visitors.
A Timeless Attraction
The viral video has undeniably amplified the ‘Human Watch’s’ profile, drawing attention from a global audience and highlighting the captivating fusion of art, design, and functionality. Maarten Baas’s ‘Real Time’ at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is more than just a clock; it’s a statement on time, perception, and the human element in an increasingly digital world. As more travelers share their encounters and appreciation, this featured artwork is set to remain a beloved and iconic fixture, a testament to enduring creativity in a bustling transit hub.
