Standard Time

On November 27, 2009, the construction site of Rotterdam Central Station became the stage for an extraordinary performance by German artist Mark Formanek. Over the course of 24 hours, a digital clock was built from scaffolding — one that was manually adjusted every single minute. This project, titled Standard Time, involved a staggering 4,890 manual adjustments, carried out by a team of 80 “time workers”, including poet Jules Deelder.

The clock, measuring four meters high and ten meters wide, was meticulously updated every minute to display the exact time. The work was part of the city’s construction site art program and poetically highlighted the contrast between digital precision and human effort. Standard Time stands as an ode to the passage of time, to craftsmanship, and to collective dedication.

The project was curated, coordinated, and produced by Mothership, commissioned by Bureau Binnenstad and Rotterdam Festivals, with special thanks to Riverpark Film for documenting this unique moment in time.