Dallas Museum of Art Uncrated

All over the world, the new year is a time to celebrate renewal, prosperity, and hope for the future. In many cultures, the count down to midnight is a time for traditions. In Australia, it’s tradition to bang pots and pans loudly at midnight; in Taiwan, eating fish (for prosperity) for Chinese New Year is a must; in Venezuela, wearing yellow underwear on New Years is lucky; first-footing in Scotland has been a tradition for centuries; and in the United States–particularly in the South–we eat black-eyed peas for good luck.

Here are a few of the clocks at the Dallas Museum of Art that are ticking in anticipation to celebrate the New Year tonight at midnight.

“Ball” Wall Clock, George Nelson Associates, Howard Miller Clock Company, designed 1947, 1994.255

Brass Clock, 17th Century, 1985.R.474.A-D

Albatross mantel clock, c. 1884-1886, New Haven Clock Co., 1990.134

Watch, Gerald Murphey, 1925, 1963.75.FA

Untitled (Perfect Lovers), Félix González-Torres, 1987-1990, 2001.342.A-B

Sun-Shaped Clock, William Moore, n.d., 1985.R.478

Mantel Clock, French, c. 1825, 1995.56

“Telechron” Mantel Clock, designed c. 1928 by Paul Frankl, manufactured by Warren Electric Company, 1994.8

Best wishes for a happy 2016!

Whitney Sirois
McDermott Graduate Intern for Gallery and Community Teaching