We are all going to die. The end is near. Second by second The Pendulum reminds us of our mortality. The giant time piece is like a hibernating bear: beautiful and perhaps even endearing, but deadly nonetheless. Its sound is more a hypnotic pulse than a nervous ticking; every 15 minutes a hammer striking a gas cylinder sounds an industrial death knell.

The Pendulum consists of an elaborate system of cogs which is powered by two suspended pallets carrying cement bags that weigh some 1,000 kilos. The counterweights are attached to the roof of the exhibition space, making it part of the work and physically encapsulating visitors in time, the building becomes a part of the clock.

Atelier Van Lieshout artworks on view: Pendulum (2019), Le Balzac (2017), Calgon (2017), Daalderop (2017), Mensch (2017) and others.

Kunstraum Dornbirn, Jahngasse 9, A – 6850 Dornbirn, Austria

Current exhibition(s):

(Un)real, Science Gallery Rotterdam, Rotterdam (NL)
3 April 2020 – 29 November 2020
Life During War Time, USF Art Museum, Online
6 June 2020 – 12 December 2020
Let’s Get Physical, AVL Mundo, Rotterdam (NL)
18 July 2020 – 3 January 2021
Two Years’ Vacation, FRAC Lorraine, Metz (FR)
23 July 2020 – 24 January 2021
What is Our Home?, IVAM, Valencia (ES)
16 July 2020 – 31 January 2021
Hagioscoop, MDD Museum, Deinze (BE)
26 July 2020 – May 2021
Blast Furnace, Art OMI, Ghent NY, (USA)
25 May 2019 – May 2021