Saturday, May 30, 2009

What Is That Thing?


On the way to movie night, I spotted this piece of metal in the dirt by the side of the road. Besides being dirty, it was rusty too, so I didn't want to drop it directly into my bag. I could envision people asking as I looked for something to wrap it in, "What is that in your hand?" and me answering, "Occupational Hazard."

Because, in fact, I have no idea what it is, and it didn't occur to me to wonder what it had fallen off of. I just saw an interesting shape, paused to pick it up and admire it, and just as quickly decided to keep it. It could be traced around. It could be sun printed. It's heavy enough to be a paper weight! And my friends who rust dye are probably drooling over the marks it would leave if wrapped in damp fabric. Spotting and carrying home such bits & pieces to use in my art, you see, is definitely an occupational hazard.

3 comments:

Felicity Grace said...

First thoughts is that it could be a washer for scaffolding. It's wonderful that you picked it up and that it has sparked off the imagination!

The Idaho Beauty said...

Huh - do I want to know what's in your background that you would know that? VBG I don't think I've ever been close enough to scaffolding to know how it's put together, but I think I can envision it now that you've pointed this out. Must have fallen off the back of someone's truck...

The WestCountryBuddha said...

I always hesitate to pick things up because my mummy told me that I don't know where it's been!! I think it's a template for dish washing machine tablets with a convenient hole left in the middle for the Power Ball. All my other suggestions are unsavoury and you really don't want to hear them (well, I don't think you do!)