TOASTER 1942

Editor: So, this is Alexander Calder's "Toaster," created in 1942, a whimsical assemblage sculpture incorporating wood, metal, and other found objects. It looks like a dysfunctional machine and sort of makes me laugh. What exactly are we looking at, in a historical context? Curator: Calder made "Toaster" during World War II. Shortages forced him to work with what was available. The war effort profoundly shaped artistic practice during this period, forcing a certain economy of means and also encouraging artists to reconsider the function of art. Editor: So the restrictions became a kind of inspiration? Curator: Precisely. Instead of traditional materials like bronze or marble, Calder uses scrap metal and repurposed objects, transforming what could be viewed as debris into a form of artistic commentary. The home, the war. He seems to connect them. Editor: What do you mean by "the home?" Is this actually supposed to be a household item, or some kind of critique of domesticity? Curator: Perhaps both. Everyday objects took on new meaning when resources were stretched so thin, especially during wartime when families rationed and recycled. Is this just a playful invention, or is Calder commenting on consumerism and domestic ideals amidst global conflict? Editor: So "Toaster" isn't *just* an amusing sculpture. It reflects larger societal issues about material culture during wartime. Curator: Absolutely. Art always exists within a network of social, political, and economic relationships. Paying attention to that helps reveal the complexity of even a seemingly simple object like this one. Editor: That is quite the different way of thinking about art! Thanks! Curator: My pleasure, it is crucial that these contexts should not be forgotten.