Scales 1935 - 1942

Editor: So, we're looking at "Scales," a coloured-pencil drawing, likely on paper, created by Peter Connin between 1935 and 1942. The craftsmanship feels almost meditative, wouldn't you say? What really strikes you when you see it? Curator: Meditative, yes, perfectly put! It hums with a quiet intensity. Scales… they make me think of judgment, of course, but also balance. It's rendered with such care, yet feels…unsettled somehow. Have you ever stared at something familiar for so long that it becomes alien? Editor: I know that feeling exactly! Do you think that might be the point, turning something ordinary into something…other? Curator: Precisely! Perhaps Connin is weighing more than just material objects. Maybe he’s inviting us to consider what we value, what we measure in our lives, and the weight we give to different things. What else do you notice about the composition itself? Editor: Well, the symmetry is obvious, but it’s not perfect. And those curious details decorating it make it hard to place, era-wise. Is it just me, or is there a hint of Art Deco in those embellishments? Curator: Not just you at all. It’s a beautiful blend, isn’t it? The Deco flair adds a touch of glamour to this symbol of serious reflection. And you're right; the imperfections are key. Maybe it's those subtle flaws that suggest balance is never truly static, it's always a dance. Editor: I never thought of it that way. I guess it’s not just about what we weigh, but how we hold it all in the balance, the teetering act itself. Curator: A beautiful way to think of it. Connin leaves us much to ponder, doesn’t he? A silent dialogue on every level.