timetext: bridging the temporal distance between us
Caroline Sekar
Advisor: Sarah Ibrahim
Timetext is an interactive art platform that bridges the gap between strangers who visit the same spaces at different times. Through message-filled bottles that light up with each new connection, it transforms shared places into sites of belonging—inviting reflection, encouraging dialogue, and turning missed encounters into meaningful connections across time.

Project Description
Timetext is an interactive community art platform that explores the emotional and social significance of the spaces we inhabit—why we’re drawn to them, what they mean to us, and how they can serve as catalysts for human connection. In a time marked by disconnection and loneliness, Timetext offers a poetic intervention: a system that bridges the temporal gaps between strangers who visit the same places but at different moments.
Recognizing the missed potential of these near-encounters, Timetext invites participants to share their experiences and reflections tied to specific spaces. These contributions take the form of message scrolls housed in physical bottles, each representing a topic connected to the site. When someone adds to a thread, the corresponding bottle lights up, becoming a glowing signal of connection and shared presence across time.
More than a digital message board, Timetext creates a sense of permission to connect—a gentle nudge toward vulnerability, conversation, and belonging. By blending physical artifacts with texting, the platform cultivates a hybrid space where online and in-person interactions can intersect, transforming fleeting moments into lasting community.
Technical Details
Web Application:
The webapp is built with JavaScript and hosted on DigitalOcean, with Firebase handling user authentication, database management, and real-time data syncing. Users can post messages under specific threads or topics tied to a physical location, and opt to receive messages in return—creating a reciprocal, consent-based interaction model. The UI allows participants to see when others have chosen to receive their messages, facilitating a sense of presence and responsiveness.
Interaction Structure:
Messages are organized by topics and threads, each linked to a particular bottle in the physical installation. The design encourages asynchronous communication through structured, themed prompts.
Physical Installation:
The installation consists of bottles embedded with LEDs controlled by Arduino microcontrollers. Each bottle corresponds to a topic on the webapp. When a new message is posted in a thread, the corresponding bottle lights up—visually signaling activity and connection.
Connectivity:
To bridge the webapp and physical installation, a proxy server relays data to Arduino Cloud, allowing the microcontrollers to receive real-time updates. This setup ensures that the devices do not need to be on the same local network, enabling flexibility in installation locations.