*Plays Broken Clocks by SZA*
While I have great distain for the anxiety and tension that time causes me and the rush and aggressive nature it manifests as in society, clocks are still extremely important and will more likely than not become extinct outside of the vintage home decor space.
In my sourcing journey, clocks have always stood out to me. The sleek design and intended functionality that represents different decor decades and how people interacted with time, is alluring to me.
No matter the size or style, I believe every living space needs some way to indicate time. Whether that’s a digital clock on a phone or computer, the oven/microwave, or a dignified standing grandfather clock.
Time has great significance in our daily lives and is the means of which all things operate, outside of money. There is created time and figurative time, and the mind expanding realization of no time at all.
Whether anyone wants to believe it or not, our phones and all means for telling or keeping time, have been fused together. When I spend time without my phone in my hand, I lose sense of time and space after the initial panic subsides. I feel my best when access is revocked and time is uncertain. That’s when life feels good for me. Now that all of our smart devices illustrate time, clocks can now take up space as just decor. No purpose, just vibes. However, with that, if we decide to accept our phones and smart devices as the primary source of time telling, all clocks are considered vintage clocks. Because, no one really uses them anymore. And if no one really uses them anymore, yet they are still magnificently beautiful, the functionality in a broken clock, becomes a historical and aesthetically satisfying visual display.
Some of my favorite clocks to source have bold numerics, standout colors and shapes, and are practically sized. When I score a beautiful clock, depending on the ware and price, whether or not it works is not important to me.
I am always going to buy broken clocks for the store. Here’s why:
Time gives me so much anxiety. There’s too much of it, too little of it, it’s running out, I’m aging, things are happening at the same time… it’s too much. There’s absolutely no way to control it outside of just letting it go, and that’s the reason I buy them. To just let time go. To remember, as much as it matters, it doesn’t at all. It’s a nod to time without actually participating in it. It’s actually kind of a fuck you. Honoring the mechanism, but not today’s concept. Unsubscribing from time. In my homespace, I do not wish to live as time exists at all. I wish to live like it’s stood still for myself and my loved ones. I am not always able to achieve that, but I promise, it’s not the broken clocks fault. I like to play, love, laugh, cook, and spend quality time without the pressure and limiting nature of the constant reminder of what’s to come and what’s to come to an end.
I don’t really know how to tell time on analog clocks. I mostly get it, but otherwise it just takes a really long time and I rather look at a digital version. Many modern clocks are conceptualized and abstract in their designs. Although I do not tell time well, the contemporary designs don’t make it any easier. I like to think these designs are also in agreement with the fact no one really knows or cares what these things say. The dots, the misplaced numbers, the animals instead of numbers, the color meaning numbers, and the really aggressive traditional clocks, all make very little sense and not for nothing…ain’t nobody got time for trying to figure out what time it is, we just want to know. It’s okay if your clock isn’t working, no one is really looking at it and if they are, it’s because it’s cool and that I can guarantee.
Some working clocks have a really annoying ticking sound that I don’t like. One of the major downfall to a lot of really brilliantly designed clocks, is that they were also made to be extremely annoying. The ringing and the dinging and the ticking and the chiming. All of that disappears when you buy broken clocks. Leave the iPhone to the annoying sounds that alert you to whatever is coming in to distract you from being present, rested, and peaceful. Broken clocks are silent, as all home decor should be.
Clocks represent more than time. There are various styles that can merely evoke feeling or understanding without working at all. A Rolex signifies fashion and class, a G-Shock triggers…triggers, a vintage alarm clock can make you dread whatever time the alarm may go off without even hearing it. 80s wood paneled digital alarm clocks with the bright red lettering are nostalgic and even often fused with music/radio capabilities. You can achieve a feel, in the spaces of your house without the clock working and to my other point, if you really want to know what time it is, you have 8 devices waiting to tell you with the tap of your finger.
The broken clocks in my home can still be wound and so what I like to do is set it to the year. This works great for clocks that are more openly displayed, otherwise, who cares what time it says. Clocks are decor, meaning there’s an aesthetic quality that is just as significant.
Despite my potentially controversial opinion, I do not recommend putting nonworking clocks in spaces where time does matter. For example in a kitchen or office space. Time should be accurately represented if it could cause further problems (i.e missed appointments, burning food). However, in spaces like the bedroom or living room where entertainment and rest are encouraged, leave time out of it, put up your cool broken clock and have some fun with the concept. Some people may not like it, but who cares.
Un.eg&o has a value in functionality and broken clocks may seem void of that to some. I understand, but fun, vintage, unique, and sustainable are also values. Broken clocks are a fun reminder not to take anything too serious. Broken clocks are rule breakers, and conversation starters, and what i like to call an eclectic good & oddity.
What do you say? Want to check out some broken clocks? Leave a comment, let me know what you think! Or, better yet, show me!
