Set 'Em Up c. 1928

Editor: Here we have Joseph Webster Golinkin's graphite drawing, "Set 'Em Up," from around 1928. It depicts a bustling bowling alley. The scene feels both dynamic and strangely still to me. What compositional elements stand out to you? Curator: The linear perspective immediately seizes attention, directing our gaze towards the vanishing point where the pins await their fate. Notice the dominance of horizontal lines of the lanes, creating a rigid framework, softened only by the curves of the balls and the bowlers' gestures. How does the artist use light to guide the eye? Editor: The stark contrast, I think, pulls us from the foreground figures into the illuminated alley space. It's like stage lighting, setting the scene. Curator: Precisely. Observe how the light source, seemingly those hanging lamps, defines form and depth. The gradations of light and shadow aren't merely representational; they serve to articulate the formal structure of the space, emphasizing its geometry. Consider also the recurring motif of the circle, echoed in the bowling balls, the bowlers' movements, and even the rounded forms of the spectators. What effect does this repetition achieve? Editor: It lends a rhythmic quality to the drawing. The spheres feel connected despite their physical separation. Everything’s oriented around achieving that perfect strike. Curator: Indeed. And the stark realism of the scene is heightened by these formal arrangements, the geometric contrasts creating tension. This tension imbues the image with a dynamism, but a tightly controlled one. I find that dichotomy compelling. Editor: I do, too! Thinking about those circles and lines as more than just literal depictions adds a whole new dimension to how I see the artwork. Thanks for illuminating that!