Our representations of time are shaped by evolutionary adaptations and physical experiences, and they are somewhat limited. Various aspects of mental representations of time extend beyond physical reality and differ across cultures. For some, time moves horizontally, while for others, it moves vertically. In human understanding, time progresses forward, backward, and sometimes sideways, up and down. The properties of mental time perception are defined through spatial metaphors and various aspects of culture.

In physics, different concepts of time have emerged. In this project, the artist primarily relies on the idea of a block universe, where the past, present, and future coexist as parts of an immutable spacetime. In philosophy, this concept is known as eternalism. In this view, the transition from one moment to another may be an illusion, as everything exists simultaneously—on a deeper level of reality, time does not elapse. Thus, the nature of time differs from the assumptions present in the grammar of modern languages.

To enable art recipients to experience time in an alternative way, the artist has constructed original grammars of the timeless language, which are supported by a dedicated interactive tool.

On November 20, 2024, a study was conducted involving a group of 21 individuals (varied in age and profession) who used the application. The aim of the study was to determine whether the experience of the timeless language affects the perception of time. The artist intended to achieve an awareness shift of at least 20% concerning alternative concepts of time (other than linear perception). Ultimately, the study achieved a change of 71%. Considering the context of interaction with the application (home conditions with potential distractions, rather than during an exhibition) and the development stage of the application at that time, the results indicate the potential embedded in the timeless language and its impact on time perception.

The study comprised a pretest and a posttest. The pretest (initial questionnaire) focused on participants’ opinions regarding time and their familiarity with different concepts. Sample questions from the pretest included:

1. What does the concept of time mean to you?
2. Which of the following statements best describes your perception of time? (Select several)
– a) Time flows linearly, from the past through the present to the future and is irreversible.
– b) Time is cyclical, repeating in certain cycles.
– c) Time is relative and depends on the observer.
– d) Time does not exist; it is an illusion.
– e) Time is absolute, independent of space.
– f) Time is a film strip (all frames of the film already exist).
– g) Other (please specify)……………………………………………………………

3. Do you believe that time affects space? How do you perceive it?
– a) Yes, time and space are inextricably linked.
– b) No, time and space are separate entities.
– c) I have no opinion.
– d) Other (please specify).

After completing the pretest, participants could experience the timeless language by translating any communications using the author’s grammars within the application created by the artist. They then filled out the posttest, which contained similar questions to the pretest to identify differences.

Statistical analysis of the initial and final surveys revealed that participants rated their awareness of different concepts of time higher in the second measurement (M = 8.48) than in the first (M = 4.95). These results suggest that under the influence of the timeless language experience, this awareness increased by about 71%.

In the second measurement, participants perceived time as less linear (t(20) = 2.17; p < 0.05) and also as less cyclical (t(20) = 2.17; p < 0.05) compared to the first measurement. Additionally, they regarded time more as an illusion (t(20) = -2.02; p = 0.056) and as a film strip, where each moment exists simultaneously on separate frames (t(20) = -2.02; p = 0.056).

Moreover, the dependent samples t-test indicated a statistically significant difference in the belief that time affects space (t(18) = -3.08; p < 0.01). This suggests that the experience of the timeless language increased the belief in the influence of time on space.