At the booth of Galerie Haas & Fischer at VOLTA New York, artist Joshua Callaghan presented his new work The 100 Year Anniversary Commemorative Ford Model-T Lamp and Alarm Clock. The Model T (colloquially known as the Tin Lizzie and Flivver) was an automobile produced by Henry Ford’s Ford Motor Company from 1908 through 1927. It is generally regarded as the first affordable automobile, made possible by the innovation of assembly line production.

To celebrate the 100 Anniversary of this event, Joshua Callaghan constructed a vehicle out of Victorian style domestic objects, lamps and furniture. The primary material is brass and brass plated faux antiques.

In this video Joshua Callaghan talks about why and how he created the piece, the impact the Ford Model T and the car industry had – and still have – on peoples lives and the ambivalent approach towards cars as both fascinating and frightening objects.

“This technological revolution essentially created the culture of auto-based civic planning and the nightmare of suburban sprawl that most Americans today call home. In the hundred years since the Model-T was first produced, America has created a road and highway infrastructure which dwarfs any other project in human history. We have become obedient servants to the cars and their habitat, which we build, maintain, and timidly share. The cars have domesticated us.” (Excerpt from the press release).

Joshua Callaghan: The 100 Year Anniversary Commemorative Ford Model-T Lamp and Alarm Clock. VOLTA New York, March 5, 2009.

> Right-click (Mac: ctrl-click) this link to download Quicktime video file.