-Graf Zeppelin- toy dirigible c. 1930s

This toy dirigible, possibly made by J.C. Penney Co. in 1913, is a small marvel of material and memory. The silvered metal has an almost painterly quality, like a Morandi still life, muted and subtle. I’m struck by the scratches and imperfections on the surface. It’s as though time itself has been applied to the surface, giving it texture and depth. These imperfections aren’t flaws, they’re part of the object’s history, a testament to its life and use. I am fascinated by the wheels, which are blood red in the center. This splash of bright color suggests movement, energy, and maybe a little danger. It is a formal device that is a total eye-catcher! The Zeppelin, like art, exists in a space between reality and imagination, between what is and what could be.