Grandfather's Clock c. 1936

Editor: Here we have Ernest A. Towers Jr.'s "Grandfather's Clock," an ink drawing from around 1936. The piece depicts two views of the clock. It reminds me a bit of an architectural rendering. What do you make of it? Curator: What strikes me is how Towers, Jr. uses line – a delicate yet unwavering line – to depict this object which, itself, represents the unwavering march of time. Notice how precise and geometric everything is, but for some subtle ornamental flourishes. The symbolism feels very intentional. Editor: So, the contrast between geometric precision and ornamental details is meaningful? Curator: Precisely! Think of the cultural context. The 1930s were a period wrestling with anxieties around time, progress, and industrialization. The clock, a domestic object, embodies this tension. Its steady ticking becomes a potent symbol of both security and impending change. What do you see in the decorative flourishes up top, like that seashell motif? Editor: Hmm, the seashells feel... almost out of place with the strict geometry of the rest of the clock. They disrupt it in an odd, though not unpleasant, way. Curator: Yes, it disrupts the potentially sterile geometry, it's true! Perhaps they symbolize a connection to nature, or maybe the human desire to beautify even the most functional objects? The past attempting to soften an increasingly technological future. These are questions the artist poses, leaving them unresolved for us to ponder. Editor: That's fascinating. I hadn’t thought about it that way, but now I see how those decorative elements really speak to that specific historical moment. Curator: Visual symbols like these allow cultural memory to be embodied in physical form. I am sure those familiar with a grandfather clock bring memories that color this image. Editor: Well, I'll certainly think about how symbols reflect the culture next time I see this. Thanks!