Know Thyself
Calendar
A tool of cultural memory
The Know Thyself Calendar is an artistic time tool that makes cyclical perspectives on time visible and connects planning with cultural reflection.
Inspired by ancient African knowledge systems, it combines practical planning with cultural reflection. Functioning simultaneously as an everyday object, an artistic work and a cultural statement.
First Edition 2024
Project Facts: Know Thyself Calendar (KTC)
First Edition: 2024/2025
Second Edition: 2025/2026
Current Edition: 2026/2027
Format: Artistic calendar / cultural design project
Disciplines: Art & design, cultural research, visual storytelling
Medium: Printed A3 wall calendar with digital extension (audio journey)
Role: Concept, research, art direction, design, production, distribution
Fields of exploration: Concepts of time, decolonial perspectives, knowledge systems, cultural memory
Working mode: Independent, self-initiated
sale from: 21st March 2026
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sale from: 21st March 2026 ***
Pre-orders open now
Shipping starts at Spring Equinox: 21st March 2026
Shipping:
Package Delivery (within Germany) 8,00 € or free pick up at OYA Müllem Café, Cologne
International Shipping possible, please contact me via mail.
What to expect in the Know Thyself Calendar
Idea:
Rethinking time
The Know Thyself Calendar emerged from a personal search for a calendar that combines aesthetic quality, cultural perspective and intellectual depth.
As such a product barely existed, I began developing one myself.
Drawing on years of engagement with mythology, ancient knowledge systems and cultural narratives, the project connects design, research and personal practice.
The calendar combines functionality with symbolism: an everyday object that simultaneously creates space for reflection, remembrance and shifts in perspective.
Know Thyself Calendar Distribution & Review Video
Philosophy
The calendar is rooted in African perspectives, yet intentionally conceived with a universal outlook.
It demonstrates how different cultures have developed distinct understandings of time and how these perspectives can coexist. At the center are two fundamental concepts of time:
Gregorian Time
linear, mechanical and productivity-oriented.
A system that structures modern life but often leaves little room for natural rhythms.
Cyclical Time
organic, nature-based and regenerative.
It reminds us that we are part of larger movements: seasons, transitions and renewal.
The calendar invites users to consciously engage with both perspectives: not only to measure time, but to experience it.
& Perspective
Introduction workshop: decolonial structures & mythology
Calendar Launch Event flyer “Spring Awakening“
Special Features &
Art Direction
Each month is designed as an individual visual narrative.
The artworks combine historical symbolism, cultural references and personal interpretations through digital collage. They explore themes of transformation, transitions and the energetic qualities of each month.
The calendar also integrates:
cultural references and holidays from African contexts
historical & contemporary personalities and events
astrological and cyclical references
additional background information through an accompanying audio guide
The result is an object that invites both aesthetic appreciation and intellectual exploration.
The calendar is developed each year through a multi-stage process:
research on ancient African and global knowledge systems
development of a calendar structure that integrates cultural, cosmic and personal rhythms
creation of the monthly artworks and content
production and distribution
The project is implemented entirely independently: from concept and design to production and dissemination.
Process
Know Thyself Calendar, Edition 2024
Results
& Impact
What began as a personal project quickly developed into a format with a growing community.
Today, the calendar is used not only as a planner but also as a cultural object, a tool for reflection and a conversation starter.
Many users describe it as a companion that opens new perspectives on time, rhythm and personal development.
#Unboxing
Surprise Unboxing of actress Denise Mbaye
Learnings
& Continuation
Working on the Know Thyself Calendar has shown me how powerful design can be when it makes complex ideas accessible.
For me, the calendar is not only a design project but a long-term exploration of time, knowledge traditions and cultural narratives.
With each edition, the concept continues to evolve.
The third edition integrates audio elements for the first time, offering additional context and impulses for the artworks.
The project remains open and evolving, driven by curiosity, research and the question of how we can experience time more consciously.
KTC Edition 2025 Preface & the month September