The Beautiful Insides of Everyday Objects
Posted by Anna_Jane_Grossman on Thursday, May 05, 2011
Everything is only the sum of its parts—but what are those parts? Most of the objects we live with are invisible to us. Hell, most of our own bodies aren’t even visible to us… I don’t plan on getting a good look at my own insides anytime soon. But I sure am thrilled to get intimate with the inner workings of some beautiful objects that were indispensable in the days before digital technology made everything (supposedly) better. Artist Todd McClellan took apart quotidian objects of yore and photographed them as part of his series, Disassembly. The prints are available as part of a limited edition from 20X200. In his artist’s statement, McClellan explains:
I photographed old items that are no longer used by the masses and often found on the street curbs heading for disposal. All of the pieces I photographed were in working order. I found it very interesting that they were all so well built and put together with screws, not glue. These pieces were all most likely put together by hand. I envisioned all the enjoyment these pieces had given many people for many years, all to be replaced by new technology that will itself be rapidly replaced with half the use.
If I take a hammer to this computer, will the result be this pretty? I will report back.
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About the author
I am a writer. I wrote. I write. I will write. I will also maybe wait tables. Mostly, I just like dogs. http://thedo.gs
