The World Famous Schiphol Clock

Time is important at an airport, with thousands of people trying to get their departure gates on time. This is why most airports are full of clocks everywhere, helping to guide many travellers to their departing planes. Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam in the Netherlands is no exception. But it offers a twist. A giant clock that appears as if a man is busy painting it real time, minute by minute.

In the main terminal at Amsterdam’s Schipol Airport there is a giant clock. It is so unique as it appears as if a man is standing behind this giant clock, painting the hands in real time.

The painter is actually a 12-hour-long recording. Which gives a convincing illusion that a human is standing inside the translucent clock, busy at work as the hands go around.

This creative timepiece is the latest work of Maarten Baas. Who is a well-known Dutch artist and designer that has a series of similar live clock recordings.

The Schiphol Airport clock was created by Baas in 2016. The man inside the clock is wearing blue overalls and has a yellow rag in his pocket. This, together with his red bucket, is meant to be an homage to the famous Dutch artist Mondrian.

The clock can be seen in the airport’s International terminal, so it is only visible to people leaving the European Union via Schiphol, and not, unfortunately, for travellers simply hopping between cities.