Mold c. 1938

Robert Calvin, who lived between 1855 and 1995, created this piece, titled "Mold," using materials that give it a textural depth. The composition features a cylindrical wooden form, horizontally oriented, and embraced by two bands that add an industrial touch to the rustic subject. The artist has meticulously rendered the wood grain, creating an illusion of depth that invites tactile exploration. The formal arrangement—the simple cylinder bisected by parallel straps—creates a structured, almost minimalist presentation. Calvin plays with semiotics, inviting us to consider the cultural codes that inform our understanding of rustic objects. In the context of structuralism, this work can be seen as a system of signs, where the mold represents both a functional object and a cultural artifact. The careful attention to detail and the overall composition serve not just as an aesthetic exercise, but as an exploration of how objects carry meaning. This encourages us to consider the artwork as a site of ongoing interpretation.