-Pay Phone- mechanical bank c. 1928

This cast iron 'Pay Phone' mechanical bank sits here, waiting, in the Minneapolis Institute of Art. There's something so tender about the way the surface texture reveals the passage of time, like a face etched with experience. The mottled patina, rust blooming like little constellations, speaks to the beauty of decay. I love how the artist, Russell Frisbie, didn’t try to hide the imperfections; instead, they become part of the work's history. Notice the word “Bank” engraved in the front; it becomes part of the image's narrative. The telephone receiver is a bit clunky, but full of character. I’m reminded of the work of David Hammons, who also finds poetry in the everyday, elevating the discarded and overlooked. And, like all good art, this piece invites us to see the world with fresh eyes, finding beauty in unexpected places.