Click Clock


2024

clickclock.space 

Uncovering the Evolution of the Cursor. This interactive, research-driven initiative investigates the historical, iconographic, and cultural dimensions of the modern mouse cursor, positioning it as a central figure in the broader narrative of human communication. By examining seven fundamental cursor categories, the project illuminates how each icon is rooted in ancient gestures—from pointing to writing—that have shaped the ways humans interact with their environments.

In contrast to conventional digital archives that often rely on linear presentations, this platform adopts an exploratory approach, inviting users to engage with artifacts in both horizontal and vertical pathways. This non-linear structure encourages deeper reflection on how modern interface elements, though ubiquitous, mirror foundational human actions and motivations. Through curated historical contexts and visual references, the project highlights the enduring continuity between analog practices and digital interfaces, underscoring the cursor’s status as both a utilitarian tool and a cultural artifact. Ultimately, the project aspires to broaden our understanding of these everyday icons, revealing their overlooked role as vital links between ancient human impulses and contemporary technological landscapes.

An interactive, research-based digital archive examining the iconography of the modern mouse cursor. By tracing its origins through seven key cursor types, it uncovers how ubiquitous digital symbols derive from ancient human gestures and behaviors. Curated timelines connect analog influences with contemporary usage, highlighting the cursor’s often-overlooked role in human-computer interaction and emphasizing its deep cultural significance.



Exhibition materials 
Postcards (5x7)
Posters (A5)
QR stickers (2x2)



Exhibiting the project revealed how users adapted from initial curiosity to playful, cursorless exploration, highlighting the potential of non-linear, user-driven archives. This approach encourages self-guided learning and underscores the importance of reimagining everyday digital tools as culturally significant artifacts.

Every artifact is both its past and present. This experience serves as a navigational tool through digital history, where the computer cursor emerges as a poignant reference point to its primal signs and icons. Through this archive one can discover the lineage from rudimentary symbols to the sleek navigational tools of today's digital interfaces. Icons that serve as the fundamental blocks to our modern digital tools showcase the human desire to find signs and symbols that transcend language and physical bounds. At the heart of this narrative lies a testament to human ingenuity - the iterative process of refinement and innovation. The computer cursor stands as a prime exemplar of this phenomenon, embodying the essence of continuous improvement. From its humble origins as a blinking block in early command-line interfaces to its contemporary manifestations as stylized icons, the cursor serves as a tangible reminder of humanity's relentless quest to enhance and streamline our interactions with technology. Our digital landscape is in a constant state of change, yet each click serves as a reminder of our shared human history.