SPIROGRAPH & SARA

This was ‘the toy of the time’. Sara had never been a scribbler. As a 6 year old she was already fastidious. Her colouring in was always ‘in’, carefully controlled so it never went over the fat outline of smiling hippos, apples and school children clutching books. In the late 80s she was given a spirograph set. This was precision. She loved its perfect forms, symmetry and interlocking spirals. She even loved how easily it was ruined, holding her breath until the pen slipped and she’d have to start again. This small, basic set is long gone now, sold at the local charity shop or lost under the yellow candy floss of attic insulation. Last year Sara’s mum bought her this second-hand set, a ‘pro’ version of endless configurations. And Sara is holding her breath again.

07 Jul 2013