OBJECT
Past, present, and future  1884, 2024, 2164

Past, present, and future 1884, 2024, 2164

Hourglass sculpture

Ulrich Vogl, Germany
Material: glass/ sand
Location: Hourglass sculpture occupies the entire entrance area and rises above the buildings

In 140 years, it will be the year 2164 and no one knows if humanity will still exist. 140 years ago, the German Empire officially joined the circle of colonial powers, although it had been involved for much longer. For 140 years, the sand of this memorial will flow from top to bottom, day and night. The last grain will fall to the ground in 2164. Germany is struggling to take an honest look at its colonial past. This hourglass memorial marks, among other things, the beginning of the German colonies with all the crimes committed in the decades before and after and how long it took until at least part of society was ready to deal with this issue. It also shows the present with the desire for reflection, dialogue, action, and the mountain of work that still lies ahead of us.

 

In the decades to come, the memorial will reflect the work we’ve done and also hold up a mirror to show how much has been achieved and how much remains to be done. Because even in 50 years, most of the content will still be in the upper part of the hourglass, and only a small mountain will have formed at the bottom. 

Link to Artist page

information

Object title Past, present and future. 1884, 2024, 2164
Material glass/ sand
Name Ulrich Vogl