MEMENTO VITAE
Nowadays a large portion of the workforce spend their time doing mental work and actually touching a single object of the physical reality – their computer. While living in the virtual world with its ephemeral goals and objectives, we also observe and experience the ever-growing increase in number of psychological problems and the level of attention crisis.
Once, intensive mental work and deep concentration were attributed to small specific groups of people – monks and sages who understood that mental processes take place not only in the brain, but also is a part of the whole system of our senses, movements, and even our physical bodies. By renouncing the so-called manual thinking and taking on only abstract cognitive activities we reduce the field of our possibilities. This is why in all times and cultures people used to create objects for meditation self-reflection (such as prayer beads).
These objects are created for measuring and observing time. In modern societies time is a topic which brings out the most concern and confusion. Timers are set by making light and gracious movements and contain special design choreography within. The materials are very durable, the color and surfaces slowly change with the touch of the user’s hands. All mechanisms are fully mechanical and do not need electricity, therefore they can be used basically forever. If anything gets worn out, it can be repaired easily.
Similarly to ancient monks and sages, who often used “Memento mori” objects in their contemplations and meditations, these timers invite us to “Memento vitae” – to take breaks, which bring us back to the present moment, to the physical reality, and thus to remember our lives and ourselves.