Wall Clock c. 20th century

Editor: Here we have a Wall Clock by an unidentified maker, its date is unknown. It's rendered in gilded material, and quite ornate. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The clock, adorned with an eagle, speaks volumes about power and national identity. Consider the historical context: clocks became symbols of industrialization and control over time. Who benefitted from this control? The elite, often at the expense of marginalized communities. Editor: So, the clock isn't just about telling time? Curator: Precisely. It embodies a system where time is commodified and unequally distributed. Who decides whose time matters and for what purpose? It prompts us to interrogate the socio-political implications embedded within seemingly neutral objects. Editor: I never thought a clock could have so much to say about power structures. Curator: Art often reflects, reinforces, or resists the dominant ideologies of its time.