We have the watches, but you have the time
2022

Mixed-media installation
Digital display, calligraphy, two-channel, metal-made sound device (sound looped, 15 min.)
 



A mixed-media installation in which the sound of a sharp device engraving the phrase ‘you have the watches, but we have the time’ moves inside and across a metal bar that hangs from the ceiling. Local militia groups coined this proverb in response to the highly advanced technology of the US military during the Afghanistan occupation (2001).

The installation features a calligraphic addition that says 'nosotros tenemos los relojes, pero ustedes tienen el tiempo.' This phrase, which is the Spanish translation of the installation's title, is complemented by a blurry image of an armed soldier carrying a virtual reality device. A multi-sensorial assemblage centering around a cryptic sonic experience prompts reflection on how Western domination propagates through frameworks of (hyper)(in)visibility that rely on technological innovation. The installation also highlights how the fight against imperialism involves warfare strategies where patience and time are crucial for eventual liberation.