User:Tommi/Marina the scale

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Revision as of 16:04, 25 March 2026 by Tommi (talk | contribs) (Improve language)

Marina is the scale is the metaphoric tool to represent the multi-faceted tension between different projects, ideas, feelings, approaches in my life, used especially for my second term assessment.

As I kept thinking on a way to best present my reflections over the first two trimester of XPUB, I was looking for a device to represent a constant, precarious, dynamic equilibrium, or better juggling with many different thoughts crowding my head. I started looking for an old-style scale, also in honor of my grandma’s passion for antiques.

I started telling this to all my classmates. In a quiet Saturday afternoon, during a walk with Lea, she brought me to De Majum, an adorable thrift shop in Delfshaven. Not five minutes since I was inside the shop, I found exactly what I needed.

A photo of a antique red scale in Lea’s hands.

I sent Nonna Gorix this picture, and I called her to ask her the maximum price she would put on this scale. She told me not to pay more than 20€, and that I could negotiate the price down to 15€. Eventually, I managed to buy it for 10€, especially because it did not have any plates. Victory!

I cleaned it and I added some pieces of wood at the bottom to calibrate it, as it was totally off-balance.

The only step left was to find a name for it. I named it Marina as my godmother and former scout chief, as historically she has been my reference point for pondering decisions and finding the right equilibrium, both spiritually or not.