Shelf Clock c. 1938

Editor: Here we have Therkel Anderson’s "Shelf Clock," made around 1938, rendered in soft watercolors and colored pencil. I’m really drawn to the dreamlike quality of the colors, especially how they bleed into each other. It gives the object a sort of otherworldly feel. What story does it tell you? Curator: Oh, that bleeding quality is everything, isn’t it? For me, it's a reminder that even our most functional, time-telling objects are steeped in subjective experience. That blur suggests time isn't just ticking, but also fading, shifting in our memory, almost like looking at a childhood home. Do you see that tiny landscape contained within the clock’s lower panels? Editor: Yes, I do! It looks almost like little idyllic countryside homes. Curator: Exactly! Anderson's painting captures the cultural and societal desire for that nostalgic sense of order and place that's often linked to home and simpler times. These paintings serve as tiny portals. What I find truly fascinating, though, is the watercolor technique itself. How it mirrors the fluidity of time and memory. Almost like holding onto a fleeting dream. Does it make you consider anything differently? Editor: I never thought about watercolor mirroring the qualities of time itself. The fragility of the image adds another layer of depth, reminding us of time’s ephemeral nature. I suppose the comfort comes in domesticating time through design. Thanks for the insight! Curator: It’s a shared journey, isn't it? We bring our experiences, piece them together and something completely unexpected shows up.