Passed
Click image to enlarge
Description
46" (117 cm.) h. x 35"w. x 21"d. An amusing vignette is arranged on a large wooden base with faux-cobblestone surface,depicting a weary and forlorn organ grinder sitting despondently on a park bench beneath a tall street light,his barrel organ next to him. Arranged on the park bench are the remains of his supper,French bread,can of fish,strawberry jam and a knife for cutting. His jacket dangles from the park bench. A bottle of wine is in his hand.Movements. The organ grinder turns his head and looks up at the lamp which is lighting. Periodically the Grinder lifts his bottle and sips wine. He struggles to keep his eyes open,but fails; his eyelids droop. His lower lip opens and closes as if he is mumbling. He slumps over,his head on his arm,his body sliding,and his right leg moving to regain his balance. As he sleeps,his coat "comes alive" and the arm of his coat begins to turn the barrel organ. Hearing the music,the organ grinder stirs. He looks up at the clock on the street lamp which dims as he does so. The night is over. In an animation finale,a mouse darts through the scene. A heavy-duty clockwork motor drives a total of 11 brass cams and the organ music is synchronized to play only when the organ-grinder falls asleep. The music is provided by a concealed tape deck with hidden speakers within the organ,and this plus the motor that turns the crank on the organ is powered by a 12-volt nickel-clad,rechargeable battery hidden within the barrel organ. There are 11 animations. Michel Bertrand,Switzerland,1985,"The Organ Grinder's Dream" was created on special commission from Jerry and Bunny Steinbaum. One of Bertrand's most complex and creative compositions,it was inspired by Vichy's "La Pochard",model 524bis,yet although developed with a more fanciful storyline.