Detail of the Clock at the Top of Broadcasting House 

Editor: This is a photograph of a detail of the clock at the top of Broadcasting House. I believe it was designed by Eric Gill. It's interesting how the photographer focused on this one part of the building. It feels very… rigid, almost like a machine. What's your take on this image? Curator: I see here a document of material processes and social organization manifested in architecture. Broadcasting House was designed to project the power and permanence of the BBC, and this image really underscores that intent. Consider the carved stone, the clock itself – someone shaped that. Someone paid for the stone, for the labour. Whose vision was being realized through those actions? Editor: So, you're saying it's less about aesthetics and more about... labor? Curator: Precisely. The "art" lies in the application of material and labour. We're not just looking at a clock; we are examining a record of collective effort under specific social conditions. That hour glass below adds another element. Was this also carved from stone? Editor: It certainly appears to be, yes. So that relates to…the concept of time, labor through time? Curator: Indeed. Time, labour, production—all interconnected, visible within the materiality of the structure. Eric Gill wasn't merely crafting a clock face, but participating in a larger network of production and signifying authority, visually reinforcing how the BBC would broadcast news and shape perception on a global scale for years to come. Editor: I guess I didn't really think of it like that, it's a good reminder to look at not just WHAT is depicted but HOW and WHY something gets made. Curator: Agreed, it allows us a better grasp of the artwork. Hopefully you can carry the perspective forward with you into future viewing!