Artists have long been fascinated by the passage of time, and many incorporate elements of aging or temporal change into their sculptures. One common technique involves using materials that naturally degrade or transform over time, such as rusting metals, decomposing wood, or melting ice. These organic processes become part of the artwork's narrative, allowing the sculpture to evolve alongside its environment.

Some creators intentionally accelerate aging through chemical treatments or mechanical weathering, while others design pieces that interact with natural elements like wind, water, or sunlight. Contemporary artists often combine traditional sculpting methods with modern technologies, embedding time-lapse mechanisms or using materials that change color with temperature fluctuations.

Conceptually, many sculptures about time explore themes of mortality, memory, or environmental change. The artwork's transformation becomes a metaphor for human experience, inviting viewers to reflect on impermanence. From bronze patinas that develop over centuries to installations that disintegrate during an exhibition, these temporal sculptures challenge our perception of art as static objects, instead presenting creation as an ongoing process.

The most compelling time-based sculptures often blur boundaries between artwork and documentation, as the artist's original vision continues evolving through natural processes they set in motion. This approach creates a dynamic dialogue between artistic intention and the uncontrollable forces of time itself.