Coat (Pattern) c. 1937

Curator: This drawing, "Coat (Pattern)" from around 1937 by Emery Herrett, executed in pencil on paper, presents itself as a rather unique object for consideration. Editor: Yes, it’s interesting! At first glance, it appears more like a technical diagram than a piece of art. The lines are quite stark and the instructions written below are intriguing. What do you see in this work that draws you in? Curator: I am particularly interested in the interplay between form and function evidenced here. While ostensibly a pattern for a coat, Herrett's rendering prompts questions about the nature of artistic representation itself. Observe how the geometric shapes, defined by precise lines and angles, create an abstract composition independent of their intended purpose. Is it the formal arrangement, rather than the practical application, that constitutes the work's artistic merit? Editor: That’s a good point. It’s easy to overlook the composition when focusing on its function. Do you think the technical labels distract from the visual aesthetics, or do they contribute something unique? Curator: Indeed, the textual annotations are crucial to the piece's semiotic structure. They provide a framework through which the visual elements gain meaning. The letters and numbers scattered across the drawing establish a logical system, inviting us to decode the visual language. However, one might argue that such textual information detracts from a purely visual interpretation. But that friction can be very interesting. Editor: I hadn't thought about it like that. It’s interesting how a simple drawing of a coat pattern can spark such contemplation about form and function. Curator: Exactly! This exercise in careful looking invites an inquiry into the very essence of art itself. We’ve looked at this work by considering what goes into it but there’s also more beyond a flat technicality to be recognized as it is expressed here.