Horloge 1930

This 'Horloge', or clock, was made by Hirsco. I can't tell you when, exactly, but it definitely has the patina of something aged. The clock face is nested within a larger disc, and it makes me think about time within time. The whole thing is subtly textured, with a tactile quality, and those little ridges on the winding knob—beautiful! It’s tempting to reach out and touch, isn't it? I wonder how often it was wound, how many hands have turned that little knob. The whole surface has an almost metallic finish that suggests something both functional and beautiful. Look at how the hands on the clock don't quite meet in the middle, as if time itself is not quite as cohesive as we think it is. The blued hands are a surprise, a little spark of colour within this grey and silver object. It reminds me of the work of Tara Donovan, who uses everyday objects to create these large, shimmering installations. Like Donovan, Hirsco transforms the mundane into something mesmerizing, inviting us to think about time in a new way.