Wednesday, 23 January 2008

Wheel Watching

Wheels are on.
They go round.
Ruben Car is Go.

But they do have a propensity to slouch ... oh well.
We've done some "body work", defining the car shape by sewing between the bonnet and the bottom of the car (sorry, you either get what I'm saying or you don't). Ruben Car still isn't finished as we've decided she needs windscreen wipers. When that is done I expect she'll need an exhaust pipe, wing mirrors, a grill air-vent, a parking ticket or a clamp. Parts we've observed since we made our car. The detail of vehicles has never been so "compelling" (I'm the kind of person who, if asked to describe a car, would tell you its colour. Finito).
Drawing, constructing or any kind of imitation makes you look in a new way; you see more; you see differently.
What is evolving now is a Rubenville for Ruben Car to drive around, remembering this Urban Village: Roads, shops, trees etc. Our daily walks are stretching our eyes afresh. Like when Ruben was a 1 year old, dwaddling for hours along 10 metres of road noting each post, branch, pavement slab or piece of rubbish. Sometimes these observations depress me, but at least we are aware and it is being channelled. Ruben teaches me not to be always so judgemental. Oh the fascination of machines.
I hope one day to add Whale Watching to Wheel Watching. That is my dream.

Future modifications... a Velcro roof-rack to attach luggage and boats; a button steering wheel; trailer attachments; improved form and stuffing; suggestions?

4 comments:

saloia said...

a rack to put the surfboard on...
something that makes noises like a horn... a peace sign bumper sticker..a pooch with his head out the window...

oh the possibilities!

i love this car

go Ruben*
:))

meg said...

...a trunk that opens, with little suitcases inside, LED headlights (maybe even ground effects! ha!), a button loop hitch, removable police siren. Oh it's easy to sit here and think up crazy ideas, but really hard to make them. Well done! It's a beautiful car as it is. I bet Ruben is overjoyed!

Olga said...

I´m impressed Alix! multi-multi-talented you!

Alix said...

Forget to say how much I like your suggestions! even when you know an idea may only remain that, an idea, it's still fun.