Belt 1935 - 1942

Nancy Crimi made this drawing of a belt, the date of which is unknown. The belt design features a repeating motif of a figure riding in a horse-drawn chariot. While seemingly simple, this image invites us to consider the social and cultural contexts of its creation. Was this design made for mass production, hinting at the rise of consumer culture? Or was it a unique piece, reflecting individual craftsmanship? The chariot motif, reminiscent of ancient civilizations, may have been a commentary on historical power dynamics. The institutional history of design schools and craft movements during Crimi's time could offer further insight. To truly understand this belt design, one would delve into fashion history archives, study design catalogues, and explore the cultural values attributed to clothing and accessories. Art, after all, doesn't exist in a vacuum. Its meaning is shaped by the social, economic, and institutional forces surrounding it.