Camphene Lamp 1935 - 1942

Editor: This is a graphite drawing titled "Camphene Lamp," created sometime between 1935 and 1942 by Don Pingatore. What strikes me most is the delicate rendering of glass, almost ethereal. What stands out to you? Curator: Well, let's consider the camphene lamp itself. It represents a specific stage in the history of lighting technology and material culture. What fuels did such lamps typically burn, and where might the artist have obtained such an artifact? Editor: I believe they burned a mixture of turpentine and alcohol. Perhaps the artist had one in their home or studio; it could have been a family heirloom, maybe? Curator: Precisely! Consider the social context – the shift away from these lamps towards more modern lighting. This drawing then becomes an act of preservation, imbuing a humble object with artistic value. Also, examine the labor involved: from the mining of the graphite to the crafting of the lamp itself, to Pingatore's artistic labor, we're looking at layers of production and consumption. How might we further explore these layers of production to give deeper insights? Editor: It's amazing how much is packed into this one drawing! The drawing captures the texture and form through labor-intensive mark-making. So, does focusing on production allow us to look beyond the aesthetic value to wider questions of history and manufacturing? Curator: Exactly! This method challenges a traditional view of fine art; it connects "art" with the means of its creation and dissemination, while the value and status of labor are recognized. We shift from appreciating only the beauty to understanding its embeddedness in material processes. Editor: This has completely changed how I view this work. Now it is so much more than a lamp rendered in graphite; it's a story about history and how labor transforms raw materials. Thanks!