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Zeitpyramide
Zeitpyramide
Zeitpyramide
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The Zeitpyramide (lit. 'time pyramid') is a work of public art by Manfred Laber under construction in Wemding, Germany. The pyramid began in 1993, the year of the town's 1200th anniversary. With a new block added every ten years, the structure should consist of 120 blocks when complete after 1190 years, in the year 3183.[1]

Key Information

Concept

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The town of Wemding dates back to the year 793 and celebrated its 1200th anniversary in 1993. The Zeitpyramide was conceived by Manfred Laber (a local artist) in June 1993 to mark this 1200-year period and to give people a sense of what the span of 1200 years really means.[1]

One block is scheduled to be placed every ten years, taking 1190 years. This time includes the initial block placed at the beginning of the project, which explains the apparent off-by-one error of ten years.[2] So far, the blocks have all been concrete, but the material of future blocks may be altered in future generations depending on availability of materials.[3]

The artwork is intended to take its own path without the artist, directed by the community, and will "make time itself more concrete, more tangible".[4]

Artist

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Manfred Laber was born in Wemding on 5 May 1932 and studied painting at the Hochschule für Bildende Künste in Berlin in the 1950s. He has other artwork on permanent display in Mormoiron, France, San Antonio Island, and Alcanar, Spain, his part-time residence.[5] He died in Wemding on 17 August 2018, aged 86.

Construction

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Trimetric projection of the design

The time pyramid is located on a concrete pad on a rounded hilltop, the Robertshöhe, on the northern edge of Wemding.[6] The first block was placed in October 1993.[1] The 6.5-tonne (6.4-long-ton; 7.2-short-ton) fourth and most recent block was placed at 15:06 on 9 September 2023.[7] Following the construction schedule, the fifth block will be placed in 2033.[8][9]

The project's initial financing was mostly achieved through donations by local companies, which, for example, supplied the materials for the concrete slab for free. The project is administered by a foundation based in Wemding.[10]

Profile (side view) of the completed design

A model of the final artwork is exhibited at Wemding, at the Haus des Gastes.[1] If the time pyramid project proceeds according to plan, it will fall into four stages based on tier layer:

  • The base layer, measuring 13.8 by 13.8 m (45 by 45 ft), will consist of 64 blocks arranged in 8 rows and 8 columns and has a stage completion date of 2623.
  • The second layer will consist of 36 blocks, in a 6-by-6 format with a stage completion date of 2983. This is the first layer that requires a block to be placed atop another block, which would require a crane or some form of scaffolding such as an earthen ramp used as an incline, although, by at least 2023, placement was already using a crane.[2]
  • The third layer will consist of 16 blocks arranged in a 4-by-4 format with a stage completion date of 3143.
  • The final, fourth layer will consist of 4 blocks, arranged in a 2-by-2 format, which upon installation will complete the structure.

The pyramid, when completed in the year 3183, is scheduled to consist of 120 stone or concrete blocks, each measuring 1.2 m (3.9 ft) long, 1.2 m (3.9 ft) wide and 1.8 m (5.9 ft) tall. Adjacent blocks are separated by gaps of half a block or 0.6 m (2.0 ft).

Longevity

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Unlike ancient human structures such as the Great Pyramid of Giza—which is made from limestone, mortar, and granite, and which has lasted more than 4500 years—the lifespan of reinforced concrete and regular blocks of concrete is typically only 50–100 years.[11][12][13] However, concrete blocks can last indefinitely when properly maintained or weatherproofed.[14]

Off-by-one error

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According to YouTuber Matt Parker,[15] the Zeitpyramide has a mathematical issue known as the "Fencepost error". For a picket fence of n elements, n + 1 posts are required. The error arises because the project started with the placement of the first block in 1993, rather than waiting for the first decade to pass. This means the pyramid will be completed in 3183, which is only 1190 years from the start date, not 1200 as was promised. Parker pointed out this error during his visit to the placement of the fourth block in 2023. He also proposed an alternative design that would take 121 blocks to complete, which is not a pyramid, and would be 19.8 meters tall.[16]

Construction schedule

[edit]
Block number Date placed Tier Notes Image
– between July 1993 and 23 October 1993 N/A Laying of the concrete pad foundation for the blocks. Local donors supplied the materials for free.
1 23 October 1993 First tier The first block placed, and the only block to be placed during the 20th century.
2 6 September 2003 First tier The first block to be placed during the 21st century.
3 29 June 2013 First tier The last block to be placed before the death of Manfred Laber.
4 9 September 2023 First tier The latest block to have been placed, and also the first block whose placement was live-streamed. The first block placed after the death of Manfred Laber in 2018.
5 2033 First tier The next block scheduled to be placed.
6 2043 First tier
7 2053 First tier
8 2063 First tier The last block to be placed on the first row.
9 2073 First tier
10 2083 First tier
11 2093 First tier The last block scheduled to be placed during the 21st century. Block 11 also marks 100 years since Block 1 was placed.
⋮
64 2623 First tier The last block scheduled to be placed within the first tier.
65 2633 Second tier The first block scheduled to be placed within the second tier, and the first block which is assumed to require scaffolding.
⋮
100 2983 Second tier The last block scheduled to be placed within the second tier.
⋮
116 3143 Third tier The last block scheduled to be placed within the third tier.
⋮
119 3173 Fourth tier The penultimate block is scheduled to be placed.
120 3183 Fourth tier The last block of the fourth tier and the work as a whole is scheduled to be placed during the 32nd century, 1190 years after the first was placed.

See also

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  • 7000 Oaks – City Forestation Instead of City Administration by Joseph Beuys, consisting of 7000 trees and basalt stone pillars planted over the course of five years.[17]
  • Longplayer by Jem Finer, which began playing on 31 December 1999, and will continue to play without repetition until 2999.[18]
  • Organ²/ASLSP As Slow as Possible by John Cage, playing nonstop since September 2001 and due to finish 2640.[19]

References

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[edit]
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Zeitpyramide

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from Grokipedia
The Zeitpyramide, known in English as the Time Pyramid, is a monumental installation in , , , designed as a composed of 120 large blocks, with proceeding at a deliberate pace of one block added every decade from its inception in 1993 until completion in 3183 AD. Conceived by local artist Manfred Laber to commemorate Wemding's 1,200th anniversary, the project symbolizes the passage of time, human patience, and intergenerational legacy, inviting residents and visitors to contemplate futures far beyond their lifetimes. Each block measures approximately 6 by 4 feet and weighs around 6.5 tons, crafted from neutral to endure centuries without stylistic decay, ensuring the structure's timeless appeal. The first block was placed in October 1993, followed by additions in 2003, 2013, and most recently on September 9, 2023, when the fourth block was ceremonially positioned amid a gathering of about 300 people, including international observers. Upon full realization, the will stand roughly 24 feet tall, serving as an enduring landmark in the town's that evolves gradually, fostering community involvement across generations. Initially met with skepticism in the conservative rural community, the Zeitpyramide has since gained recognition as a unique exercise in long-term artistic commitment, drawing comparisons to other slow-duration works like John Cage's organ performance in . Laber, who passed away in , entrusted the project's continuity to successors, emphasizing its role in promoting foresight and in an era of short-term thinking. As of 2025, with 116 blocks yet to be added, the incomplete structure stands as a poignant reminder of time's inexorable flow, projected to outlast modern civilizations and become a testament to human endurance.

Origins and Concept

Artist and Inspiration

Manfred Laber (1932–2018) was a German artist born on May 15, 1932, in , , where he spent much of his life and career. He studied at the für Bildende Künste in under Prof. E. and completed his Meisterprüfung in 1954. Laber's artistic practice focused on abstract forms, utilizing media such as wood, paper, and metal to create geometric compositions—often squares and rectangles—drawn from natural phenomena like , , and . Throughout his career, Laber received several public commissions that highlighted his engagement with community spaces and collaborative elements. Notable prior works include a wall and sculptures in , a ceiling painting for the Fontanehaus in Berlin-Reinickendorf, and color s installed at the and the Fachhochschule . He also pursued international landscape art projects in (Isla and Alcanar) and (Skulpturenpark Mormoiron), which involved site-specific installations and interactions with local contexts, underscoring his interest in art that integrates with communal environments and evolves over time. Laber traveled to artistic hubs like , , and , where he connected with contemporaries such as , Bargheer, Purrmann, and , enriching his approach to enduring, participatory forms of expression. Laber's conception of the Zeitpyramide emerged in June 1993 as a proposal to commemorate Wemding's 1,200th , transforming the town's historical milestone into a forward-looking initiative. Inspired by ancient monuments such as the Egyptian pyramids, which embody human ambition and timelessness through their rapid yet eternal construction, Laber sought to counter modern ephemerality with a structure built gradually over 1,200 years—one every —echoing the durability of pharaonic legacies while adapting to contemporary notions of extended temporality. At its core, the project reflected Laber's philosophical drive to symbolize human , continuity, and the transcendence of individual lifespans, fostering intergenerational commitment by entrusting future communities with its completion in 3183. This vision positioned the Zeitpyramide not merely as but as a living emblem of , prompting reflection on humanity's capacity for sustained collaboration across centuries and challenging the immediacy of present-day culture.

Project Initiation

The Zeitpyramide project was formally launched in 1993 to commemorate the 1,200th anniversary of , , with the first concrete block placed on during a ceremonial event on the town's outskirts. This laying marked the practical beginning of the long-term artwork, drawing participation from local residents across generations, town officials, and community members who gathered to witness the initiation of a structure intended to symbolize the passage of time over centuries. The community played a central role in endorsing and supporting the project from its outset, viewing it as a endeavor to honor the town's and commit future generations to its continuation. Initial funding was provided through local town resources tied to the anniversary celebrations, reflecting broad civic enthusiasm for artist Manfred Laber's vision of a enduring public monument. In the years following, a dedicated foundation was established in to oversee ongoing management and financing, ensuring sustained community stewardship. Key early logistical choices included selecting the site at Robertshöhe, a prominent hilltop location on the northern edge of , to provide visibility and a stable foundation for the growing pyramid. Additionally, the decision to construct the pyramid using blocks was made to guarantee durability against and ensure the artwork's longevity across the projected 1,200-year timeline. These steps laid the groundwork for a project driven by Laber's conceptual framework of time as a tangible, communal legacy.

Design and Construction

Architectural Plan

The Zeitpyramide is envisioned as a reaching a height of approximately 7.2 meters upon completion, constructed from 120 blocks organized in four progressively smaller layers to evoke stability and gradual evolution over time. The structure begins with a square base layer measuring 13.8 meters on each side, comprising 64 blocks in an 8-by-8 arrangement; this supports subsequent tiers of 36 blocks (6-by-6), 16 blocks (4-by-4), and a cap of 4 blocks (2-by-2), creating a terraced form that narrows symmetrically toward the top without a singular apex block. Reinforced concrete was selected for its exceptional resistance to , ensuring structural integrity across centuries, with each block standardized at roughly 1.2 meters by 1.2 meters by 1.8 meters and weighing over 6 tons to underscore the monument's theme of enduring human endeavor.

Block Specifications and Schedule

The blocks comprising the Zeitpyramide are uniform blocks, each measuring 1.2 meters by 1.2 meters by 1.8 meters. These blocks are added to the structure one at a time, every ten years, through a ritualistic placement that engages the local community of , including residents, officials, and visitors, often featuring speeches, music, and collective effort to position the block using a . The process emphasizes communal participation, symbolizing the town's ongoing commitment to the project across generations. The construction schedule commenced with the first block in 1993, coinciding with Wemding's 1200th anniversary, followed by the second in 2003, the third in 2013, and the fourth in 2023. Subsequent blocks will continue this decennial rhythm: the fifth in 2033, and so on, until the 120th and final block is placed in 3183, marking the pyramid's completion after 1,190 years of incremental additions. Each block is fabricated from using materials sourced from local companies, which have historically donated resources to support the project's and tie it to the region's identity. The blocks are prepared specifically for their position in the design, ensuring structural integrity as layers build outward from the base.

Progress and Challenges

Construction Milestones

The construction of the Zeitpyramide began with the placement of the foundation block in October 1993, coinciding with the 1,200th anniversary celebrations of the town of , . This initial block, weighing approximately 6.5 tonnes and measuring 1.2 meters by 1.2 meters by 1.8 meters, was positioned on a prepared pad at the Robertshöhe hilltop site to symbolize the project's commencement. The second block was added in 2003, exactly one decade after the foundation, during a local ceremony that highlighted the project's commitment to incremental progress over centuries. This addition reinforced the conceptual framework of time perception, with community members participating in the event to mark the passage of the first ten years. By 2013, the third block was placed, accompanied by increasing media coverage that drew attention to the ongoing artwork and its philosophical implications. The ceremony attracted local and regional interest, underscoring the growing recognition of the Zeitpyramide as a unique long-term public installation. The fourth block was added on September 9, 2023, at precisely 15:06 during a public ceremony attended by around 300 people, including international visitors from as far as . This event was live-streamed by the Wemdinger Zeitpyramide Foundation, further amplifying global awareness of the project. As of November 2025, the structure stands at approximately 7.2 meters in height, comprising these four stacked blocks on the foundation pad, with no further blocks added since 2023. The site has been maintained by the local foundation since the 2023 addition, ensuring the integrity of the elements against while preparing for the next block in 2033.

Longevity and Maintenance

The Zeitpyramide's longevity relies on the deliberate selection of as its primary material, chosen by Manfred Laber to symbolize modernity while necessitating ongoing stewardship over centuries. Each block measures approximately 1.8 meters high by 1.2 meters square and weighs over 6.5 tonnes, constructed from basic without initial sealants or treatments to preserve the project's evolving . This approach acknowledges 's potential for degradation due to and absorption, yet historical precedents, such as enduring millennia, suggest that with periodic interventions, the structure can persist for the intended 1,200 years. The rests on a solid square foundation, measuring about 13.8 by 13.8 meters, engineered for stability to support the gradual accumulation of up to 120 blocks in a stepped formation. To ensure endurance beyond Laber's lifetime, the Time Pyramid Foundation was established in 2003 by the artist and local officials, serving as a communal body dedicated to the project's oversight. This manages funding through local contributions and sponsorships, coordinates necessary repairs to address or structural wear, and organizes decennial ceremonies for block placements, fostering intergenerational commitment. By embedding the pyramid in Wemding's , the foundation promotes involvement, such as idea competitions for future enhancements, ensuring the artwork remains a living symbol of patience rather than a static monument. Anticipating long-term challenges, including shifts in societal values, technological advancements, and environmental pressures like climate-induced , the project's design incorporates flexibility for future adaptations. Contingency measures include the potential for later generations to apply protective sealants, reinforce blocks, or even substitute materials during repairs, allowing the structure to evolve while preserving its core concept. Urban development risks are mitigated by the foundation's role in advocating for the site's preservation within Wemding's town planning, emphasizing the pyramid's cultural significance to deter encroachment. These strategies underscore a of adaptive maintenance, where communal vigilance transforms potential vulnerabilities into opportunities for renewed engagement across millennia.

Mathematical and Cultural Issues

Off-by-One Error

The Zeitpyramide project encountered a mathematical inconsistency known as the "picket fence error," a type of off-by-one error common in discrete counting problems. In the original plan, the structure was designed to incorporate 120 concrete blocks, placed one every decade starting in 1993, to symbolize a 1,200-year span ending in 3183; however, this timeline actually covers only 1,190 years (119 intervals of 10 years between 120 blocks), as the number of blocks required to delineate n intervals is n+1, similar to needing n+1 posts to support n pickets in a fence. This discrepancy was first publicly highlighted in 2023 by mathematician during his visit to for the placement of the fourth block, and it gained wider attention through his 2024 video analysis and subsequent articles. Parker's examination revealed that achieving a true 1,200-year duration would require 121 blocks, with the final one placed in 3193, aligning the intervals precisely with the intended . The error sparked debate on potential resolutions, including adding an extra block to reach 121 and extend the completion to 3193, or redesigning the pyramid's layers to accommodate 121 elements while preserving its stepped form—such as incorporating an additional layer based on odd-numbered squares or a triangular spiral arrangement. Project representatives, including the artist's daughter, acknowledged the issue but expressed minimal concern, viewing the 10-year shortfall as negligible over such a long timeline and opting to proceed without alteration. As of November 2025, no official changes have been implemented, and the schedule remains set for 120 blocks concluding in 3183.

Philosophical and Public Impact

The Zeitpyramide embodies philosophical themes centered on challenging short-term thinking in an era dominated by instant gratification, instead advocating for and an intergenerational legacy that spans over a . By committing to a timeline extending to 3183, the serves as a tangible reminder of humanity's capacity for long-term , prompting reflections on how current decisions impact distant future generations. This aligns with broader efforts to counter "presentism"—the bias toward immediate concerns at the expense of future risks, such as —by making "" accessible and urging sustainable practices that transcend individual lifetimes. Public reception began with strong local enthusiasm in , where the project was initiated in 1993 to commemorate the town's 1,200th anniversary, fostering community involvement through periodic block placements. Interest has since grown internationally, particularly from 2023 onward, with media coverage highlighting the 2023 block addition that drew around 300 attendees, including visitors from as far as , signaling a tourism boost to the small Bavarian town. Online platforms amplified this visibility between 2023 and 2025, contributing to broader awareness and positioning the Zeitpyramide as a unique attraction that enhances Wemding's cultural profile. As a on collective commitment, the Zeitpyramide has elicited cultural critiques within art philosophy, especially following the of its mathematical error, which has intensified discussions on the tension between artistic and precision. This anomaly underscores the project's value as a for human fallibility and perseverance, inviting philosophical inquiry into whether enduring imperfections strengthens intergenerational bonds or undermines long-term visions. Such debates emphasize its role in exploring art's power to provoke sustained societal reflection on legacy and responsibility.
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