This project, conceived for an MA show, is based on the concept of time dilation. This is an effect caused by simply travelling (moving through space) away from a static observer whereby time moves slower for the traveller, relative to that of the static observer. This means that the traveller ages slower in relation to the non mover and the dilation of time is more extreme the faster the traveller moves. The theory was initially worked out using maths and the sum can be applied to any journey made.

The work was designed to be a bridge, to be experienced, linking the lower and upper floor exhibitions of the show whilst traveling. The speed at which the lift ascends the distance from ground to second floor means that an observer will have actually aged slower than an observer who remained static on the ground floor (albeit by an almost negligible amount but still calculable).

The piece draws attention to this upon entry and again upon exiting the lift via wall mounted sound modules that deliver the information interactively at the observers leisure. The two recorded statements are as follows.

ground floor entry. ”By using this lift you will be affected by time dilation and will therefore age slower than those that remain static on the ground floor”

second floor exit. ”Welcome to the second floor. During your journey, those you left on the ground floor aged 0.0000000000000000262 seconds faster than you”