Zoar Ceiling Ornament c. 1938

Editor: Here we have Fritz Boehmer’s “Zoar Ceiling Ornament” from around 1938, it’s a drawing. I’m really struck by the contrast between the meticulous detail and the kind of folksy feel it gives off. What can you tell me about this work? Curator: Well, considering this design was meant to be a ceiling ornament, its original mode of production and placement are very informative. It would've been physically laborious, a communal effort most likely. We're not dealing with high art removed from everyday life; this speaks of function, of creating an environment. Editor: So, thinking about it as something functional really shifts my perspective. Do you think the choice of a geometric design played a specific role? Curator: Absolutely. Geometry offers both practicality in execution and inherent symbolism. How does the material, in this case a drawing that represents something much larger in scale, dictate its cultural perception? How does that differ from painting on canvas or some other support? Editor: That’s a great question. I guess the translation of the design to a physical ornament would involve more people, more labour… perhaps the drawing acts as a kind of instruction manual. Curator: Precisely. Consider how the drawing facilitates production – the material informs the social relations of production and consumption. Think about how this differs from something perceived as ‘fine art.’ The function of decoration within a home alters the understanding of ‘art.’ Editor: I hadn't really considered that before – the link between the art, the labor involved, and its setting. Thank you for your time! Curator: It's all about examining how things are made and why – it opens up a whole new way of understanding art history, doesn't it?