-Cook County Federal Savings- still bank c. 1954

Editor: Here we have a still bank from around 1954, a metal assemblage representing the Cook County Federal Savings building, attributed to Banthrico, Inc. I’m struck by the rosy bronze color and how this tiny sculpture evokes a sense of stability and, well, money! What is your interpretation of this piece, especially given its context? Curator: Oh, isn't it delightful? I see a yearning for permanence. In the 50s, postwar America was booming, chasing this perfect dream. This little bank, in its geometric simplicity, becomes a monument to that era's financial aspirations. It's almost… comically optimistic. Like a tiny temple of savings, wouldn’t you say? I wonder, does the sculpture remind you of anything else? A game piece, maybe? Editor: I see what you mean! It does feel like a token you’d use in a board game, a stand-in for “financial security”. The repetitiveness of the windows also creates a nice visual rhythm, as though money’s rolling in constantly. Curator: Exactly! A ceaseless stream of coins and, consequently, of progress. It's this hopeful narrative embodied in metal. Imagine a child in the 50's dropping their pennies in; did they internalize the hope and aspirations it embodied? Do you think we imbue everyday objects with more symbolic value than intended? Editor: That’s such an interesting perspective. It makes me rethink the purpose of art beyond pure aesthetics – maybe its intention seeps into ordinary objects and the collective consciousness? Curator: Precisely! The magic lies in seeing how everyday objects reflect broader dreams, fears, and societal shifts. Each window a different, hopeful face staring back at us. Editor: I never would have looked at a still bank that way. Thanks so much! Curator: The pleasure was all mine!