Bandbox Design c. 1939

Editor: So, this is "Bandbox Design" from around 1939 by Gilbert Sackerman, a mixed-media drawing using watercolor and paper. I find it really striking how decorative it is; what can you tell me about it? Curator: What immediately grabs me is the directness of the application of the media. We see the watercolor, seemingly applied with very little blending or finesse. I wonder how this speed of execution impacted the perceived value of decorative arts at the time? Editor: That's a great point. Do you mean since it's handmade with simple media it speaks more about the design? Curator: Exactly. And it begs the question, was the goal to mass-produce something "precious," or make inexpensive items look higher in value by hand-crafting a master template? Editor: Oh, I never thought about the idea of cheap items pretending to be more valuable. The pineapple motif seems very deliberate, perhaps for export packaging? Curator: The materiality makes me question the context in which such decoration would exist. Are the color choices motivated by printing limitations, available dyes, or conscious aesthetic decisions to present wealth? Editor: Hmm, so perhaps this bandbox design was about creating a fantasy of luxury through the medium itself? Curator: Precisely! By looking at the 'how' and 'why' it was made, we start to see the values and conditions surrounding its production. Editor: That helps me appreciate it even more. Thinking about materials really gives a context. Curator: Absolutely, focusing on materiality can really reshape our perspective on art history.