-Little Brown Church- still bank c. 1930

Editor: So, here we have an adorable ceramic piece, a "Little Brown Church" still bank from around 1930, hanging out at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. It feels very…folksy? Almost like something you’d find tucked away in grandma's attic. The rustic texture and the simplicity of form are what grab me first. What draws you in? Curator: You know, it's that exact homespun quality that gets me too. This wasn't made in a factory; someone clearly put love – and probably some serious elbow grease – into it. Imagine the hands shaping the clay, the fire transforming it... It's more than just a place to stash your pennies; it's a tiny monument to simpler times. A symbol of faith and maybe a bit of financial hope amidst the Great Depression, wouldn't you say? Editor: That's a beautiful way to put it! The economic hardship gives it a completely different layer of meaning. Do you think the rough, almost unfinished quality of the glaze was intentional? Curator: Maybe, maybe not. Intentionality is a slippery thing, isn’t it? But that earthy glaze, those subtle imperfections...they tell a story. It could be read as a desire for something simple and enduring. A safe place for dreams. Look closely... Does the form follow function or is the functionality merely opportunistic? Editor: Ooh, I hadn't considered that! I was so focused on the church aspect. So, function vs. symbol, faith vs. finance… lots to think about in one little brown church. Curator: Exactly! It’s funny how such a humble object can open up such a world of questions and reflections, isn’t it? What starts out folksy and fun, suddenly asks important questions. Editor: I agree. This was unexpectedly thought-provoking. I might start seeing the potential for complex meaning in all kinds of everyday objects from now on!