Bandbox c. 1937

Alfonso Umana created this design for a bandbox, a lightweight cardboard container used for storing clothing. Umana was born in Costa Rica but lived most of his adult life in the United States. This design evokes the social space of Castle Garden, an entertainment and reception complex in Manhattan. Built in the early 19th century, it became a landing depot for immigrants in the mid-19th century, and then the New York Aquarium in the late 19th century. Here, Umana presents us with a stylized scene of leisure: people strolling, enjoying the gardens, and the architecture. The composition is both a historical reference to a specific place and a reflection on the nature of public space in an ever-changing urban landscape. It prompts consideration of who is invited into the space, and who is not. The simplified forms and muted palette evoke a sense of nostalgia, inviting us to reflect on how places evolve and how our experiences of them shift over time.