Time in Art

Art exists in time as well as space. Time implies change and movement; movement implies the passage of time. Movement and time, whether actual or an illusion, are crucial elements in art although we may not be aware of it. An artwork may incorporate actual motion; that is, the artwork itself moves in some way. Or it may incorporate the illusion of, or implied movement. Time has had a significant influence in the world of visual arts. Artists have depicted various symbols for time to express its impact as a philosophical question that is reflected in the human existence, or important events in history to represent the passing of time.

This essay is not another guide to show the evolution of art through time, but about the evolution of our perception of time through art.