#object exploration

[hnd1bphoto-geraldmcmillan]

Object Exploration - Canvas(es) of 12 - plus some evaluation

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[hnd1bphoto-geraldmcmillan]

Object Exploration

That the brief calls for the student to ponder the object selected, its surface, shape, texture, weight etc., caused me to wonder whether I had chosen a suitable object in the first place!   My object is irregularly shaped, but symmetrical; it has a specific function – it has moving parts – though these can be covered when not in use.  And it’s normally seen on top of a piano.

My metronome is of a tapered-pyramid form about 20cm high with a square base of 11cm side length. It’s supported by three short rubber feet. (Not one below each of the four corners, because the design follows the logic that a three-legged stool can’t wobble). The casing is made of a type of plastic wood, with imitation wood-grain running in a vertical direction. I bought the metronome based on a combination of its function, appearance and price (~£30).  (I thought it might actually have a wooden casing based on the price! Fat chance!) 

Near the base on one of the sides there is a winding key as the metronome has a clockwork timing mechanism, and a pull/push plunger button that activates a bell as the metronome arm repeatedly swings back to one side of its arc of travel.  The frontispiece has a removable section that releases the metronome arm. This section has a decorative feature that consists of a curved “W” (more like 2 “U” characters hard-up against each other) that almost appears like a candelabra and the whole symbol – in brass effect – is contained within a black diamond-shaped enclosure, itself trimmed in brass. The symbol looks like an ancient hieroglyphic character and quite mysterious.  The style of the symbol is in keeping with the pyramidal form of the metronome which is suggestive of ancient tombs and temples and hence also mysterious. It’s just a pity it’s made of plastic.  The taper towards the top of the metronome is finished off in classical style by a sharp change in taper slope leading to a Cleopatra’s needle-like point.

The metronome is not heavy or light for its size or shape, I don’t think, but its surface is very smooth, which is not consistent with its wooden appearance – as a result, I have almost dropped it on many occasions when moving it from one place to another. That said, the metronome has almost come to grief on a number of other occasions when I have been on the point of throwing it out of the nearest window when my guitar practise hasn’t been going well!