Have you ever stopped to wonder if public clocks still hold the power to shape our daily lives in New York City, or have they silently slipped into obscurity? This is the provocative question artist and educator Suzanne Dirks will tackle in her upcoming lecture at the Horological Society of New York (HSNY) in January 2026. But here's where it gets intriguing: while we often rush past these timekeeping sentinels—perched on street corners, above doorways, or towering high—their historical role in orchestrating the city's rhythm is undeniable. Once, they were the heartbeat of urban life, synchronizing schedules and fostering a sense of shared time in a metropolis defined by constant motion.
During her lecture, Shared Time: Public Clocks and the Life of New York City (https://hs-ny.org/schedule/shared-time-public-clocks-and-the-life-of-new-york-city), Dirks will delve into the fascinating history of public timekeeping, spotlighting stories of clocks rescued and restored through community efforts. She’ll also examine clusters of clocks across diverse neighborhoods, revealing how these artifacts continue to nurture shared time, civic pride, and fleeting moments of connection in a city that never stops evolving. But here’s the controversial part: in an age of smartphones and digital schedules, do public clocks still matter, or are they relics of a bygone era?
About Suzanne Dirks
Based in New York City, Suzanne Dirks is an artist and educator whose work explores the intersection of time, memory, and urban landscapes. A lifelong West Village resident, she founded @NewYorkCityClocks (https://www.instagram.com/newyorkcityclocks/), a captivating project dedicated to documenting public clocks across the five boroughs. Drawing on her background in fiber arts and early childhood education, Dirks employs an interdisciplinary approach—combining historical research, photography, and firsthand observation—to uncover how public timekeeping influences our collective experience of city life.
Event Details
Mark your calendars for January 5, 2026, as the HSNY lecture takes place at the General Society Library in Midtown Manhattan, located at 20 West 44th Street, New York, NY 10036 (https://www.google.com/maps/place/General+Society+of+Mechanics+%26+Tradesmen+of+The+City+of+New+York/@40.7552134,-73.9833973,17z). And this is the part most people miss: while the event is free and open to the public, tickets (https://www.eventbrite.com/o/horological-society-of-new-york-8304492355) are required to secure your spot. Doors open at 5:30 PM, with the lecture commencing at 6 PM. All HSNY lectures are video-recorded, available immediately to members (https://hs-ny.org/membership) and to the general public after a two-month delay.
Hodinkee proudly sponsors the Horological Society of New York, ensuring these conversations about time and its keepers continue to thrive. So, what do you think? Are public clocks still essential to the fabric of New York City, or have they outlived their purpose? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s keep the conversation ticking!
