-The World Time Bank (paper dials missing)- still bank c. 1910 - 1920

Editor: So, this intriguing piece is entitled "The World Time Bank," created sometime between 1910 and 1920 by the Arcade Manufacturing Company. It’s a mixed-media sculpture, incorporating metal, ceramic, and possibly found objects. It's quite geometric, with a rather somber, industrial feel. What stands out to you about it? Curator: The emptiness within those circular windows calls to me. Time banks, conceptually, represent reciprocal service exchange, where time itself becomes currency. Yet, this bank stands silent. It makes me consider the social values connected with time—diligence, punctuality—values perhaps subverted, disrupted by historical events following its creation, wouldn't you agree? What psychological space did these banks fulfill during a time when industrialization reshaped people’s connection to their time? Editor: That's a powerful reading. I was so focused on the physical object itself, I hadn't fully considered the social context. The missing dials hint at obsolescence, maybe a system that failed or evolved. What do you think the circles could symbolize? Curator: Ah, symbols! Circles can represent cycles, completion, even globalization, given the ‘world’ aspect. But observe, how the color of metal contrasts with the black circles; consider this dissonance when attempting to understand it fully! Are these portals, voids, or phases? It invites a discourse on how individuals experience, control, or even lose track of their lives within larger socioeconomic systems. It represents tangible aspiration towards synchronizing effort. Editor: This makes me view this piece beyond just a decorative object. I see it now as a reflection of early 20th-century society's anxieties and ambitions surrounding time. Curator: Exactly! It's a visual record encoding collective experiences and cultural attitudes; what could easily be written off as a novelty bank, transforms itself into profound history and cultural artifact! Editor: Thank you so much, this deeper understanding is really rewarding! Curator: The pleasure was mine; looking forward to sharing my passion and knowledge further!