An Explosion of Time

A THRESHOLD WORK

An Explosion of Time

Tim Ruth
Mixed Media on Canvas
100 × 100 cm

Overview

An Explosion of Time is a profound mixed media painting by Tim Ruth that explores the deep structures of time, space, and consciousness through sacred geometry and mathematical patterning. The work investigates the origins of modern time measurement—specifically the sixty-second minute, the 360-degree circle, and the 24-hour day—suggesting roots beyond purely arbitrary historical convention and pointing instead toward universal numerical order.

Through close observation of a recurring cycle within the Fibonacci sequence—where the final digit of each number forms a repeating pattern every sixty terms—the painting articulates a hidden mathematical logic underlying the architecture of time itself. Building on the work of Lucien Khan, Ruth presents the clock not as a human invention, but as a natural consequence of harmonic numerical law, embedded within the Fibonacci sequence and expressed through geometry.

Sacred Geometry and Mathematical Revelation

The composition is structured around an overlay of interlocking circles, progressing from the Vesica Piscis through increasingly complex geometric assemblies culminating in Metatron’s Cube. Within this framework, Fibonacci-based circular constructions reveal deeper symbolic and spiritual dimensions.

Most strikingly, the completed assembly of Fibonacci circles discloses the structure of the 216-Letter Name of God, a central concept in Kabbalah derived from three verses in Exodus (14:19–21), each containing seventy-two letters. These verses form seventy-two triads, understood as expressions of divine attributes. In mystical tradition, this composite name is believed to encode profound spiritual truths and to herald a higher stage of human consciousness—sometimes referred to as the Messianic Age.

Ruth’s work does not present these ideas as dogma, but as visual inquiry—inviting the viewer into contemplation of how mathematics, spirituality, and perception interweave.

Visual Impact and Technique

Ruth’s innovative mixed media practice creates a richly layered surface, incorporating thread, hand impressions, gold leaf, oils, acrylics, and metallic pigments in multiple tones of gold. These materials produce a luminous depth that shifts subtly with light, reinforcing the themes of duration, transformation, and temporal flow.

At the heart of the painting lies a radiant golden rendering of the phonetic symbol /ɔ:/—a sound resonating as “or” or “awe.” Across many languages, this sound is closely associated with gold: a substance prized for its purity, incorruptibility, and endurance across cultures and epochs. The symbol also corresponds to one of the Five Healing Sounds found in Tibetan and Taoist traditions, believed to cleanse and restore balance, particularly within the heart.

This central glyph anchors the work emotionally and energetically, transforming the painting from a purely visual object into an experiential field of resonance.

Exhibited as a Living Work

An Explosion of Time has been used as the central focus for day-long immersive workshops, during which participants explored its mathematical and philosophical structures. These sessions frequently led to moments of genuine mystical insight, as viewers engaged directly with the patterns and principles embedded within the composition.

Irreproducible and Transitional Work

An Explosion of Time is a singular, irreproducible work. Its surface contains an accumulation of countless physical and temporal layers—hand prints, threading, gold leaf, repeated reworking, and material decisions made over many years—that cannot be reconstructed or replicated.

The painting has lived with the artist for over eight years, during which time Tim Ruth has meditated with the work daily. Through this prolonged relationship, the piece has functioned not only as an artwork, but as a contemplative instrument and a site of ongoing revelation.

As such, this work marks a culmination. Its completion signals a natural turning point in the artist’s practice and heralds a movement in a new direction. While future works may continue to explore related themes, this painting stands alone as a one-of-a-kind convergence of time, material, and consciousness.

A Significant Addition to Any Collection

Both intellectually rigorous and visually arresting, An Explosion of Time is an exceptional acquisition for collectors drawn to contemporary works that bridge art, science, and spirituality. It is equally suited to private collections, contemplative environments, or modern architectural interiors where it can function as both focal point and ongoing source of inquiry.

This is not merely a painting. It is a map of time, a meditation on order, and an invitation to witness the hidden intelligence that shapes reality itself.