-New Bank- mechanical bank c. 1877

Curator: Looking at this whimsical piece, it feels almost theatrical, doesn't it? Editor: It does! The textures are so immediate. Is this meant to depict a bank? The boxy form overlaid with those striking colors seems designed to capture attention. Curator: Indeed. This is an object titled "-New Bank- mechanical bank," dating back to around 1877. The creator, A.C. Williams, rendered it using mixed media and assemblage techniques with a great emphasis on metalwork. It's currently part of the Minneapolis Institute of Art's collection. I think it resonates as a cultural artifact tied to notions of security and aspirations of wealth. Editor: I'm drawn to the structure itself, the relationship between its different geometric sections. The eye moves upwards, progressing from the repetitive serrated edge to the dome. What is the effect of positioning that miniature figure so prominently at the center of the bank's "facade"? Curator: Well, it's more than just placement; it's a presentation. Notice how the figure occupies what looks like a sort of shrine. I think that golden man perhaps stands as an aspirational figure for the saver—an image of success that saving cultivates, tapping into values of hard work and thrift. Editor: Ah, yes! It also reads as something quaint. The bold juxtaposition of bright red and earthy green generates a unique energy, particularly combined with the slightly rough, patinated finish. How much of its "folk-art" style might contribute to its nostalgic effect? Curator: Consider the historical context; the object's date situates it at a time of both massive industrial growth and deep uncertainty within financial institutions. I think this "kitsch" element evokes a yearning for a simpler time—or perhaps more accurately, a yearning for perceived simplicity and order, as saving accounts provided an increasingly secure avenue for families. Editor: The craftsmanship certainly contributes to that charm, I think, in both a pleasing and unsettling way. Its form provides that simultaneous experience. It does make me wonder if contemporary notions of "financial literacy" are connected in a broader historical context that continues to inform consumer behavior to this day. Curator: Precisely. The sculpture serves as a curious mirror reflecting shifting perceptions of monetary value and security from past eras through today. Editor: Indeed. Well, that interplay between folk art elements and pure geometric shapes gives it lasting value. It certainly gave me pause!