What? The Clock by Christian Marclay
Where? Tate Modern
When? Until January 20
Christian Marclay's The Clock is a 24-hour film installation that literally tells the time. By creating a day-long montage of moments from film that reference clocks and time, Marclay has created a visual clock that is synced to the time zone of wherever it is displayed. Marclay manages to create a sense of narrative in his chosen film clips by critically choosing which film music scores to bring out in the film's sound. He exploits the emotional power of music within film as viewers are pushed and pulled through humourous, tense, and dramatic scenes, even though we don't necessarily know the plot of the films shown. Each film clip references time or shows an actual clock within the scene--and these clocks always show the exact time that it really is. Despite the fact that you are literally watching time pass, it passes very quickly, and I spent 45 minutes in the exhibition without batting an eye.
The Clock is open overnight several times before it's closing, to allow viewers the chance to see the lead up to midnight, where the film becomes the most intense. This will require queueing, but I think it will be highly worth it.
Ms Hannah Kroes