Metal sculptures often defy their material's reputation for permanence by intentionally incorporating elements of time and decay. Contemporary artists employ various techniques to create works that evolve visually, conceptually, and sometimes physically. Many sculptors deliberately expose metals like iron or copper to natural oxidation processes, allowing rust and patina to become integral parts of the artwork's narrative. Some create controlled corrosion through chemical treatments, accelerating nature's timeline to achieve specific aesthetic effects.

Other artists incorporate mechanical elements that physically change over time, such as moving parts that wear down or interactive components designed to degrade with use. Environmental factors like weather, temperature fluctuations, and human interaction become collaborators in the artistic process. The Japanese concept of wabi-sabi - finding beauty in imperfection and transience - frequently influences these approaches.

Advanced techniques include combining metals with different corrosion rates to create dynamic surface patterns, or embedding organic materials that decompose at varying speeds. Some sculptors document their works' transformations through photography, creating multi-temporal artworks. These methods challenge traditional notions of sculpture as static objects, instead presenting art as living entities with their own lifespans and stories of change.