On October 19, 2024, the Kent Street Art Gallery in East Victoria Park opened its doors to one of the most innovative exhibitions in recent years: "DEMONSTRATION OF TIME TRAVEL" by Matteo Sullivan. This event shattered traditional boundaries between art and science, presenting an idea that until recently seemed confined to science fiction novels. For the first time, an artwork attempts to represent time travel, using visual language to stage a concept that has fascinated generations of scientists, philosophers, and artists: the possibility of crossing eras.
The exhibition is open until November 5, 2025, offering a deep reflection on the evolution of temporal perception through a unique experience that combines painting, sculpture, and the use of light. Sullivan, who brought this unprecedented project to life, aims not only to explore the concept of time but also to demonstrate how art can be the ideal tool to imagine a journey that until now was merely theoretical.
Art That Travels Through Time
"DEMONSTRATION OF TIME TRAVEL" is divided into three main elements: two paintings created in different years and a mobile element that connects the two works. A simple yet revolutionary idea: time travel brought to life through the art itself. The concept is inherently fascinating: a work that unites the past and future, making two paintings created in different years interact, yet with a strong and tangible link embodied by a third element: a lightning bolt, which represents the idea connecting the two paintings.
The artist shares how this idea came about almost by chance. In December 2023, he reflected on the fact that he hadn’t painted anything the previous year and thought that if he began a new painting at that precise moment, he would probably only finish it the following year. Thus, the idea of linking 2023 and 2024 in a work that symbolically connected two points in time was born.
Matteo Sullivan chose a concept that appears simple but is, in fact, profound: a color and a canvas, symbols of the beginning and the future, with an empty space in the center representing the possibility of a passage through time. The choice of pink, though accidental, had a strong impact, thanks to a conversation with a friend who saw the color as a link to the feminine universe and its significance in human history. Later, the second painting, created in 2024, was completed with the color blue, symbolizing the masculine, thus creating a visual connection between two worlds, the masculine and feminine, as well as between the past and the future.
The Mobile Element: The Lightning Bolt as a Symbol of Time Travel
The true heart of the work, however, is the lightning bolt that spans the space between the two paintings. The artist chose this symbol, typical of Western culture, to represent the idea, the spark of genius that allows the mind to move between the present and the past. This element is not only symbolic but physical: a lightweight sculpture made of plastic, glue, and small plastic astronauts, which moves along a thin cord between the two paintings, thus representing the journey between two different times. The lightning is painted in gold, further emphasizing the value of the idea, symbolizing something that cannot be touched, yet is essential to our evolution.
"Moving in Time": A Series Exploring Time Travel Through Art
The series of works that make up the exhibition is a triptych that explores the theme of movement through time. The first painting, titled "Moving in time: 1 +", is an oil painting created in 2023, marking the beginning of a visual journey that will conclude with the second and third pieces completed in 2024. The second painting, "Moving in time: Moving! The idea!", is a sculpture that combines painting and plastic, representing the power of the idea that connects the past and the future. Finally, "Moving in time: The future is now" closes the cycle, symbolizing the present-day relevance of the future. The series, presented as a visual and conceptual experience, was sold as a single piece for $1500.
The Importance of Art in Representing Time
This exhibition not only proposes a reflection on time but also invites us to think about how art can serve as a medium to explore complex concepts such as time travel. Art has always been a tool for exploring the human condition and its limits, but also for imagining new realities. With his innovative exhibition, Sullivan offers a thought-provoking opportunity to reflect on how creativity can challenge conventions and push the boundaries of what is possible.
The exhibition is open from October 18, 2024, to November 5, 2025, at the Kent Street Art Gallery in Victoria Park, Western Australia. Opening hours are Monday to Friday, with extended hours to welcome the public.
Exhibition Details
Title: "DEMONSTRATION OF TIME TRAVEL"
Artist: Matteo Sullivan
Opening date: October 19, 2024, from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Period: October 18, 2024 - November 5, 2025
Opening hours:
Monday: 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Tuesday - Friday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: Kent Street Art Gallery, Victoria Park Centre for the Arts, 12 Kent Street, East Victoria Park, WA 6100
Contact:
Tel: (08) 6454 1803
Email: admin@vicparkarts.org.au
Glossary
- Lightning: A symbol of genius and idea, often associated with Western culture as a sign of inspiration.
- Triptych: A work of art divided into three panels, in this case, used to represent the concept of movement through time.
- Lightening: The term in English refers to "fulmine," but also the concept of the spark of genius.
