Epoch, by Bay Area artist Steven Dellicarpini puts a spotlight on time. The ever present passing of time is a constant in our universe. It pauses for no one and when it is gone, it is gone. Often lost in the moment, time seems to be more apparent to all of us lately. With every passing hour we see increases in racial, social and cultural injustices, negativity, and the pandemic destruction. For many people, 2020 will be the hardest year they have ever had to endure. It is important to remember that time is neutral, it is not inherently good or bad. Time takes on meaning by the experiences of the participant and observer. As time passes on during our “new normal” of 2020, Dellicarpini’s Epoch reminds every viewer to take caution and not write off 2020. Dellicarpini states, “We all get a limited amount of grains in our life. If the ones you are experiencing now are difficult, try to remember the good ones. If the ones you are fighting now hurt, fight back. If the ones from today seem meaningless, give them meaning.”

Epoch is a seven foot tall sculpture in the form of an hourglass, constructed from a paper based clay, steel and polycarbonate. 1000 pounds of sand start in the top reservoir and quietly and methodically disappear into the bottom portion of the hourglass over the course of a week. The work comprises almost 8 billion grains of sand, one for every human being on earth. At the end of the week the artist replenishes the sand and the cycle continues. Viewing Epoch is intended to be meditative, watching the sand fall while life, thoughts and current events continue. This peaceful and calm artwork is a call to action on both personal and community levels.