Rooster weathervane c. 1850

This rooster weathervane was made by an anonymous artist, crafted from copper, likely in the 19th century. Notice the material qualities: the dull sheen of the metal, the way the surface has patinated over time. It’s not paint that gives it color, but rather oxidation, the very breath of time made visible. The individual pieces of copper are joined with rivets, a nuts-and-bolts approach to fabrication. The object has a simple silhouette, but that makes it all the more effective at catching the wind and declaring its direction. Weathervanes like this one stood atop barns and farmhouses, signaling not just the prevailing winds, but the hard-won prosperity of the inhabitants. It’s a reminder that even the most humble materials, fashioned with skill and purpose, can embody layers of meaning. And, as always, it’s a reminder that art is everywhere, if only we know how to look for it.