-Skippy-Racer- scooter c. 1933

This "Skippy-Racer" scooter was made by John Gordon Rideout, but we don't know exactly when. I love the color of it. It's not just red, it's got this depth, like old enamel, where you can see the layers and years. It looks like it has a good story to tell. The surface isn't trying to be perfect; it's got bumps and unevenness, so you know it was made by someone who cared more about getting it done than making it flawless. I'm drawn to the way the light catches the curves around the front, there's a certain kind of beauty in the wear and tear. It reminds me a little of the work of Haim Steinbach, actually, how he took these functional, everyday objects and turned them into something special just by putting them on display. It makes you see them in a new way. It's the kind of piece that reminds you that art is everywhere, not just in paintings.