It's art. Doesn't really need to work. But yeah I would be more impressive art if it at least appeared like it could work.
But, it's ok, I'm certainly not saying it's bad art just because I'm on fence about it.
Personally, I don't like when art makes me contemplate the delta between _intended ideals_ vs. actual execution.
Especially for this piece... it's just fake. "We made a camera that's going to take a 1,000 year exposure!" - and it's like... maaaan. No, no you didn't - and it's unethical to market that you did.
Science experiments demonstrating discoveries of the past centuries (magnetism, electricity, radio) are a kind long-term useful art.