-Clever Dick- mechanical bank c. 1920s

Curator: Editor: So, this object is called "-Clever Dick- mechanical bank," dating from around the 1920s. It's at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, made using some sort of pigment to make it colorful and pop. There is something sad and whimsical about it. The faded paint makes me wonder about its history, like who handled it, and for what reasons? What draws your attention when you see this piece? Curator: The mechanical nature, really. I see a confluence of industry, labor, and playful intent. This isn’t just an art object; it’s a mass-produced item designed for consumption, likely intended to instill specific values—thrifty savings perhaps—in children. Notice how the material is humble, and the production far from unique. This challenges the traditional notion of the artist's singular genius, don't you think? Editor: Yes, I see that! I initially missed how ordinary the materials are! It is about consumerism instead of a personal journey. Curator: Exactly! And think about the labor involved. Not the artist's labor, but the factory workers churning these out. What are their stories? Their conditions? This seemingly simple bank becomes a window into the social realities of the 1920s. Consider too the German origins – was this product meant for export? Did anxieties of postwar German economy affect its material value? Editor: It shifts my understanding from this being a cute toy to some industrial complex. Did kids actually even use these to save money? Curator: That's precisely the point. How was childhood shaped by objects like this? Its role in cultivating an appreciation for manufactured entertainment is quite curious. Does this piece make you reflect on the value we ascribe to labor? Editor: It definitely does, seeing something and understanding all the history and labour behind it really has made it deeper and so much more fascinating to look at. Curator: It’s amazing to recognize an appreciation and cultural context within a small thing like this!