-Frog on Rock- mechanical bank c. 1920s - 1930s

Editor: This is "-Frog on Rock- mechanical bank," made sometime in the 1920s or 30s. It appears to be bronze, or some kind of cast metal, and the artist used assemblage. The green and orange colors are playful but worn, which I think gives it a bittersweet feeling. What do you see in it? Curator: I'm drawn to its industrial materiality. Consider the cultural context: mass production, burgeoning consumerism, and the allure of novelty objects. It isn't about aesthetic value in the traditional sense, it's about the means of production and how they democratized art. We're dealing with metalwork produced during a time of mass manufacturing, but it mimics hand-made craft. Editor: So it's the process of how it's made that gives it meaning, and its commentary on consumer culture at the time? It’s interesting to think of it as a social object as much as, or even more than, a work of art. Curator: Precisely. How do we classify this frog? Is it a toy? Is it sculpture? Does its utility undermine its artistic status? These are boundaries this piece intentionally disrupts. Look at the wear and tear. How does that alter your perspective, knowing it was mass-produced but used individually, repetitively? Editor: The chipped paint and aging actually make it seem unique and treasured. Knowing the material's origin but also considering the human interaction makes me think of craft and labor... Curator: A poignant observation. Editor: This piece is so much richer than just its initial, kind of silly, appearance. Now, when I look at it, I think of mass production versus personal usage. Thank you. Curator: Indeed. Examining its materiality encourages us to rethink assumptions about what constitutes "art" and appreciate the historical forces that shaped its creation.