Sinéad O'Connor Fire On Babylon, question about the video?

tinytobe

Regarding the music video of Sinead O'Conner's Fire on Bablylon, I was always wondering, what precisely is that mechanical contraption shown in the video which causes the sparks flying?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R29W_PvTT7M

L1011

Looks to be a made up machine (Heath Robinson/Rube Golberg Device), basically just an grinding disk and some other random bits that just make up 'a contraption' for the video. Its not an actual tool doing anything other than producing sparks.

tinytobe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121027822#Comment_121027822

Thanks for that one. They are two cartoonists. I've learned something new.

It really appears that this contraption does absolutely nothing other than a grinding disk causing sparks.

I've always wondered what the meaning of this was in relation to the video, or the song?

Also, did people talk about this contraption when the video was released back then? I think it must have kept everyone guessing?

L1011

I don't think people would have put much thought in to it, really. The track did not chart in Ireland so the chances are virtually nobody even saw the video.

tinytobe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121028315#Comment_121028315

It's possible that the rotating disk causing the sparks is there to sharpen the blade of the lawn mower which is also seen in the video?

Sadly we can't ask Sinead anymore, but if I've ever would have met her, I would have asked her exactly this question, as this contrapion or device or whatever it is or used for has always fascinated me.

Jim_Hodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121030412#Comment_121030412

I doubt she'd have known herself.

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121030412#Comment_121030412

You are hugely overthinking things - it is just a contraption built for effect. Anyway, that wouldn't sharpen blades.

She was not the video director and hence wouldn't have known. Michel Gondry is the director, and he is unlikely to either remember, or be contactable.

tinytobe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121030708#Comment_121030708

Being curious isn't overthinking. I was just wondering if it was something more common and just didn't know it.

AndrewJRenko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121030708#Comment_121030708

Nothing to lose in asking him the question;

https://twitter.com/MichelGondry