'How do we perceive the passing of time?' is the question, the interactive video installation der Cryptochron is based upon: As we believe that time and space are inextricably connected, we commonly perceive the progression of time as motion - either by the motion of our surroundings or by our own movement in space. The Cryptochron questions this assumption by breaking our brain's hard-wired time-space link and splitting apart our motion from the motion of our surroundings. It creates a real-time window into a non-real time.

When walking past windows, what we see in the window changes depending on our position – the window's physical limits determine what we see beyond the frame. The Cryptochron's window matches our common perception and makes us believe we are looking at a normal window. But although closely connected to the real surroundings outside the frame, this windows' contents are not subject to the progression of time, as we know it, but are controlled by the spectator's spatial position. The closer we approach the window, the slower time will pass, whereas moving away will make time fly.

Materials: monitors, cameras, infrared sensors, cables, computers, Max/Jitter, acrylic glass, wood.

A group of four young women and a man are gathered in a dimly lit corridor. The woman on the left, wearing a white tank top and black skirt, leans forward to look at something off-screen. The other three women stand beside her, attentively gazing at a digital display mounted on the wall. They seem intrigued or curious, with expressions of interest. The man in the background appears to be preoccupied, standing casually against the wall. The corridor features a mix of light and shadow, giving the scene an intimate atmosphere. A group of four young women and a man are gathered in a dimly lit corridor. The woman on the left, wearing a white tank top and black skirt, leans forward to look at something off-screen. The other three women stand beside her, attentively gazing at a digital display mounted on the wall. They seem intrigued or curious, with expressions of interest. The man in the background appears to be preoccupied, standing casually against the wall. The corridor features a mix of light and shadow, giving the scene an intimate atmosphere.

Der Cryptochron at the 48h Neukölln Arts Festival 2016.

A dimly lit corridor in an art exhibit features a large digital screen displaying a reflection of several visitors. In the foreground, two women interact with the artwork displayed on the wall, while others stand nearby, observing the space. The scene captures the lively atmosphere of people engaging with art and each other. A dimly lit corridor in an art exhibit features a large digital screen displaying a reflection of several visitors. In the foreground, two women interact with the artwork displayed on the wall, while others stand nearby, observing the space. The scene captures the lively atmosphere of people engaging with art and each other.
A young woman in a black dress stands beside a large black pedestal in a dimly lit corridor. She appears contemplative as she looks at the pedestal, which has a screen or display. The corridor has light-colored walls and a visible exit sign, creating a stark contrast with the dark pedestal and a nearby black door. Light from the pedestal illuminates the woman's face and surroundings, adding to the atmosphere. A young woman in a black dress stands beside a large black pedestal in a dimly lit corridor. She appears contemplative as she looks at the pedestal, which has a screen or display. The corridor has light-colored walls and a visible exit sign, creating a stark contrast with the dark pedestal and a nearby black door. Light from the pedestal illuminates the woman's face and surroundings, adding to the atmosphere.
A group of six people stands in a bright room with contrasting dark walls. They appear engaged in conversation, smiling and enjoying each other's company. One man with short hair wears a white T-shirt, while another has a beard and wears a gray button-up shirt. A woman holds a cup and has her hair tied back, and another carries a child on her hip. The atmosphere is light and social, suggesting a casual gathering or event. A group of six people stands in a bright room with contrasting dark walls. They appear engaged in conversation, smiling and enjoying each other's company. One man with short hair wears a white T-shirt, while another has a beard and wears a gray button-up shirt. A woman holds a cup and has her hair tied back, and another carries a child on her hip. The atmosphere is light and social, suggesting a casual gathering or event.
A narrow hallway with a person walking towards the camera on the left side, partially obscured by a large screen displaying a black-and-white image of the same hallway. In the background, two people, one in a yellow top and the other in a light-colored shirt, are looking out a window. The setting appears to be an art space or gallery, with dim lighting and a simplistic, modern aesthetic. A narrow hallway with a person walking towards the camera on the left side, partially obscured by a large screen displaying a black-and-white image of the same hallway. In the background, two people, one in a yellow top and the other in a light-colored shirt, are looking out a window. The setting appears to be an art space or gallery, with dim lighting and a simplistic, modern aesthetic.
Close-up of a camera lens set against a dark background, featuring a shiny black surface with a subtle reflection. The lens displays a hint of purple, indicating an active or focused state. Close-up of a camera lens set against a dark background, featuring a shiny black surface with a subtle reflection. The lens displays a hint of purple, indicating an active or focused state.
A group of people gather outside a well-lit art gallery, Kunstverein Neukölln, in a dimly lit street. Some individuals are engaged in conversation near the entrance, while others stand in a line, observing the interior. The atmosphere is social and lively, hinting at an exhibition or event taking place inside. A group of people gather outside a well-lit art gallery, Kunstverein Neukölln, in a dimly lit street. Some individuals are engaged in conversation near the entrance, while others stand in a line, observing the interior. The atmosphere is social and lively, hinting at an exhibition or event taking place inside.

Group exhibition 'Konditionalgefüge' at the Kunstverein Neukölln.

A reflection of a gallery scene featuring a group of people gathered. In the foreground, a man in a blue shirt and another in a plaid shirt are visible, alongside others chatting and observing an exhibit. There are two display screens showing faint images. The text on the glass reads “Konditionals-gefüge” along with the names “Philipp Harn, Michael H. Rode, Erik Nieminan.” The atmosphere suggests an art event or exhibition. A reflection of a gallery scene featuring a group of people gathered. In the foreground, a man in a blue shirt and another in a plaid shirt are visible, alongside others chatting and observing an exhibit. There are two display screens showing faint images. The text on the glass reads “Konditionals-gefüge” along with the names “Philipp Harn, Michael H. Rode, Erik Nieminan.” The atmosphere suggests an art event or exhibition.
A group of people is gathered in an art gallery, engaging with an interactive display. In the foreground, a woman with short hair holds a drink while looking at a tall black screen that shows a video. Others in the background are conversing and observing the exhibit. The gallery has white walls and features various artworks, creating a vibrant atmosphere. A group of people is gathered in an art gallery, engaging with an interactive display. In the foreground, a woman with short hair holds a drink while looking at a tall black screen that shows a video. Others in the background are conversing and observing the exhibit. The gallery has white walls and features various artworks, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
A magazine page featuring an article on art. On the left, there's a photo of the "AMERIKA" building, part of the Amerika-Gedenkbibliothek, with the text "Find the difference: temporary installation from Nina Fischer / Maroan el Sani." On the right, a scene from Philipp Hahn's work "Der Chryptochron," showing a figure walking away in a corridor. The text discusses exhibitions and projects related to art and philosophical themes, with sections titled "Public Library" and "Konditionalgefüge." The layout is on a wooden surface. A magazine page featuring an article on art. On the left, there's a photo of the "AMERIKA" building, part of the Amerika-Gedenkbibliothek, with the text "Find the difference: temporary installation from Nina Fischer / Maroan el Sani." On the right, a scene from Philipp Hahn's work "Der Chryptochron," showing a figure walking away in a corridor. The text discusses exhibitions and projects related to art and philosophical themes, with sections titled "Public Library" and "Konditionalgefüge." The layout is on a wooden surface.

Press coverage in Zitty (group exhibition 'Konditionalgefüge', Kunstverein Neukölln).

A view through the glass door of Kunstverein Neukölln, revealing an interior art gallery with white walls. Inside, a ladder leans against a black partition, while various artworks hang on the walls. Prominent stickers on the door indicate participation in Berlin Art Week and an upcoming exhibition featuring artists Sascha and Martin. A view through the glass door of Kunstverein Neukölln, revealing an interior art gallery with white walls. Inside, a ladder leans against a black partition, while various artworks hang on the walls. Prominent stickers on the door indicate participation in Berlin Art Week and an upcoming exhibition featuring artists Sascha and Martin.
Close-up view of two circular light reflections on a dark surface, with a blurred background. The lights appear to have a subtle glow, surrounded by a faint halo. Close-up view of two circular light reflections on a dark surface, with a blurred background. The lights appear to have a subtle glow, surrounded by a faint halo.
A workbench is set up in a cluttered room, featuring a large black panel mounted on metal supports. A green power drill, measuring tools, and a calculator are scattered across the wooden surface, alongside a printer. In the background, there are large letters spelling "HAU," a ladder, and various items including a chair and a hammock. The floor has a light-colored covering with some stains visible. A workbench is set up in a cluttered room, featuring a large black panel mounted on metal supports. A green power drill, measuring tools, and a calculator are scattered across the wooden surface, alongside a printer. In the background, there are large letters spelling "HAU," a ladder, and various items including a chair and a hammock. The floor has a light-colored covering with some stains visible.
A minimalistic 3D rendering depicting two geometric shapes on a white surface: a tall, hollow rectangular prism with an open section and shadow beneath it, and a shorter, solid rectangular block standing nearby, both set against a dark gray background. A minimalistic 3D rendering depicting two geometric shapes on a white surface: a tall, hollow rectangular prism with an open section and shadow beneath it, and a shorter, solid rectangular block standing nearby, both set against a dark gray background.
A dark room featuring a digital display mounted on a wooden easel, showing an abstract blue and white pattern. A small spotlight illuminates the area, highlighting a hammock and a couch with colorful cushions. A computer monitor sits on a table, displaying technical information or software interface, while a decorative wall piece and a plant add character to the space. A dark room featuring a digital display mounted on a wooden easel, showing an abstract blue and white pattern. A small spotlight illuminates the area, highlighting a hammock and a couch with colorful cushions. A computer monitor sits on a table, displaying technical information or software interface, while a decorative wall piece and a plant add character to the space.
Shadow of a ladder cast against a softly lit wall with warm orange tones, creating a serene atmosphere. The ladder appears partially obscured, with hints of other shapes and shadows subtly blending into the background. A small window can be seen in the upper right corner. Shadow of a ladder cast against a softly lit wall with warm orange tones, creating a serene atmosphere. The ladder appears partially obscured, with hints of other shapes and shadows subtly blending into the background. A small window can be seen in the upper right corner.
A Samsung CRT monitor is positioned on top of a green plastic crate, displaying a screen with reading labels for "DISTANCE" (1.2863) and "LENS ANGLE" (-0.317). Various tools and cables clutter the wooden workbench below, including a tape measure, a roll of duct tape, and a handheld device, surrounded by a somewhat chaotic workspace with soft natural lighting. A Samsung CRT monitor is positioned on top of a green plastic crate, displaying a screen with reading labels for "DISTANCE" (1.2863) and "LENS ANGLE" (-0.317). Various tools and cables clutter the wooden workbench below, including a tape measure, a roll of duct tape, and a handheld device, surrounded by a somewhat chaotic workspace with soft natural lighting.
A modern art gallery features a minimalist design with white walls and pendant lighting. In the center, a suspended monitor displays a woman with long brown hair and a black sweater, looking directly at the viewer. A gray chair sits to the left, and a black cord connects the monitor to the floor, where it meets a rectangular outline on the ground. The overall atmosphere is serene and contemporary. A modern art gallery features a minimalist design with white walls and pendant lighting. In the center, a suspended monitor displays a woman with long brown hair and a black sweater, looking directly at the viewer. A gray chair sits to the left, and a black cord connects the monitor to the floor, where it meets a rectangular outline on the ground. The overall atmosphere is serene and contemporary.

Original 3d previzualization.