S09E05: Dynamic Objects

We’re getting into the groove about things that move with special guest host Matthew Read. What exactly is a dynamic object and how do you go about preserving one? Kloe talks to Ken Cobb about conserving electrical objects and Jenny speaks to Chris Weeks about motorcycles that still need to vroom. Also tune in for a book review of ’Handmade: A Scientist’s Search for Meaning Through Making’ by Anna Ploszajski.

00:03:43 What do we mean by dynamic objects?
00:11:36 The idea of performance
00:16:00 What’s value, anyway?
00:18:23 Visitor expectation and conservation approach
00:23:47 What would WE do?
00:30:15 Interview with Ken Cobb
00:41:59 Working with artists and emulation
00:47:32 What would it take for us to say no?
00:50:52 Don’t be frightened of clocks
00:53:43 Getting into the business
00:58:34 Interview with Chris Weeks
01:13:16 Review: Handmade
01:16:19 Questions, comments, and corrections
01:17:21 Patreon shout-outs

Show Notes:
– West Dean course: https://www.westdean.org.uk/study/specialisms/horology-and-clocks
– Dynamic Objects Network: https://www.icon.org.uk/groups-and-networks/dynamic-objects.html
– Swan automaton at the Bowes Museum: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_Swan_(automaton) and https://www.thebowesmuseum.org.uk/Collection/Explore-The-Collection/The-Silver-Swan
– Thinking Big episode: https://thecword.show/2019/11/13/s06e05-thinking-big/
– Antikythera mechanism: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antikythera_mechanism
– Danger, Danger episode: https://thecword.show/2017/08/23/s02e01-danger-danger/
– The Repair Shop: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08l581p
– Touchy Feely episode: https://thecword.show/2019/05/29/s05e06-touchy-feely/
– Replicas, Surrogates and Digitisation episode: https://thecword.show/2017/11/01/s02e06-replicas-surrogates-and-digitisation/
– Keep It Moving book: http://www.getty.edu/conservation/publications_resources/pdf_publications/keep_it_moving.html
– Open Clock Club: https://yorkfestivalofideas.com/2021/calendar/open-clock-club/
– Birmingham City University Horology degree: https://www.bcu.ac.uk/courses/horology-ba-hons-2021-22
– WOSTEP training course: https://www.britishschoolofwatchmaking.co.uk/
– Matthew’s book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/repair-pendulum-clocks-step-step/dp/1838100725
– Secrets of the Transport Museum: https://yesterday.uktv.co.uk/shows/secrets-of-the-transport-museum/
– Manx National Heritage: https://manxnationalheritage.im/
– Isle of Man Museum: https://www.imuseum.im/
– Handmade: https://www.annaploszajski.com/book

Support us on Patreon!

Hosted by Jenny Mathiasson, Kloe Rumsey, and Matthew Read.

Intro and outro music by DDmyzik used under a Creative Commons Attribution license.

Made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International license.

A Wooden Dice production, 2021.

Leave a Reply

Back to Top