Semitic languages, which long ago adopted the Aramaic alphabet, such as Arabic and Hebrew, are considered sinistroverse, meaning they pass from right to left. European languages, many of which use the Latin alphabet, are considered dextroverse, meaning they pass from left to right. Ancient Greek is boustrophedon. The reading direction and the orientation of its letters switches with each line.

One Hour is Sixty Minutes and Vice Versa plays with the conception of directions and norms embedded in our language, and therefore our culture. It is a manipulation of the deeply ingrained grammars which structure our understanding in everyday life. The telling of time here serves as a moment of permeability between cultures.

The clock, which runs counter-clockwise and marks the minutes and hours with Hindu-Arabic numerals, tells perfect time within its own system. It simply suggests the viewer to accept its specific directionality, or view its reflection in a mirror.