Kay Walkowiak: Traces of Time

Kay Walkowiak’s evocative exhibition Traces of Time at “Waassertuerm+Pomhouse” in Dudelange (Luxembourg) explores the intricate and multifaceted nature of time through powerful imagery and thought-provoking artworks.

The conceptual core and starting point for the exhibition is the cinematic short film Traces of Time (2021), which radically challenges western perceptions of time: the clocks’ hands complete their round in an hour, suggesting the possibility of a cyclical, rather than linear, notion of time and addressing the fact that our perception of time is always culturally shaped. Within the exhibition, the series Eternal Now (2023), Display (2024) and Nowhere (2023) expand the notion of time and space while the new filmic work Rise and Fall (2024) further opens up an intercultural dialogue about the concept of time in a broader sense by inviting visitors to reflect on the theme of time and temporality in alternative ways. The works Misfits (2024) and The Prophecy (2024), meanwhile, question the Western-framed narratives of (Art) History, as well as their side effects and legacy in today's hegemonic world.

With its themes of Time, History, Art and their interconnection, as well as its “time-capsule-like” presentation, Kay Walkowiak’s work deeply resonates with the CNA, its missions and the challenges it faces as a national archive. As guardians of audiovisual heritage, we are daily confronted with the notion of time, its passing, and the aim of preserving it. Due to our function as a exhibition space, we are also particularly interested in the issues of cultural representation, “historical canon” and their societal legitimacy as addressed by Walkowiak in the series Misfits and The Prophecy. This correlation between our activities and Walkowiak’s works is further enhanced by the artist’s use of all the different media forms—photography, film and audio—, which make up our archival collection.

Exhibition created with the support of the Ministry of Culture, Austrian Embassy in Luxembourg, Ville Dudelange, MNAHA.