Brown Boot 

Editor: Here we have Erte's "Brown Boot." It presents a rather surreal and playful view of a Parisian scene dominated by the massive, stylized form of a brown boot. I'm struck by the flattening of perspective. How does the artistic process used influence your interpretation? Curator: Well, given a materialist perspective, the printmaking process is key here. Note the flat blocks of colour, suggesting perhaps a serigraphic method, or a pochoir print. The production itself mirrors the flattening of social hierarchy—Erte was designing for mass consumption. Editor: Mass consumption, right, as opposed to unique artworks for the wealthy. That’s an interesting thought, especially given the subject matter – luxury goods and fashionable people. Curator: Exactly! And how does the emphasis on graphic simplicity challenge traditional artistic skill? We usually associate "high art" with painstakingly detailed oil paintings, not necessarily accessible prints. The labour is moved from the individual "master" to a collective involved in mechanical reproduction. Editor: So the democratization of art, in a way? It feels like this challenges traditional notions of authorship and artistic value. Curator: Precisely! Erte uses his skills to create something visually appealing and widely available. That's where its revolutionary aspect can be found. Do you see other implications regarding societal context? Editor: Perhaps the rise of consumer culture and a focus on readily available items? I hadn't really considered that. Curator: Precisely. The material realities and its production deeply intertwine the aesthetics. Editor: Thanks! I will have to look at images differently now. Curator: Indeed. The real boot's on the other foot, isn’t it?