Christopher Chetcuti

Whilst reading up on the Block Universe Theory, which suggests that past, present, and future coexist in a four-dimensional spacetime, I started to question the meaning of form through such a viewpoint. In the Block Universe, time is not linear but rather a dimension like space, where every moment exists simultaneously. This means that a sculpture isn’t just a static object but exists in all its stages at once, spread across time. Each point of its creation—from raw material to the finished piece—coexists in spacetime, much like how an object exists in different locations in space.

This view radically shifts how we perceive the sculpting process. Instead of seeing creation as a dynamic journey, we can consider it a timeless structure. Every chisel strike, every form revealed, is a fixed moment in the block universe. The sculptor’s role becomes less about crafting something new and more about uncovering what already exists in spacetime. This aligns with the idea that art is about discovering rather than creating—a concept echoed in Michelangelo’s belief that his sculptures were always inside the marble, waiting to be released.

In my work, “Time”, I was looking to show the existence of the time dimension by using a paraffin wax cube. Through a series of actions, the cube started to change form. Through the block universe theory we can argue that the cube was always in this final form and my actions were only a conduit for it to be realised. From looking at “Time”, the viewer can easily see that it once wass a cube but it has been ‘acted’ upon and that cube changed. This evidence puts in clear view our perception of the passage of time.

My aim is to capture this eternal nature of objects. I am looking to create sculptures that embody their entire history and potential future, not just their current form. By doing so, I hope to evoke the sense that the artwork is not confined to the present but is a tangible intersection of all its moments. This approach invites viewers to engage with the sculpture as a four-dimensional entity, encouraging them to consider its past and future states as equally real and present. Through my sculptures, I strive to provide a visual and tactile exploration of the Block Universe, challenging perceptions of time, creation, and existence.