Jar c. 1940

Curator: So, here we have John Tarantino's "Jar," created around 1940, using ink on paper. Editor: Yes, it's a rather simple drawing, almost like a blueprint. It looks like an advertisement for a company based on Little 12th street in New York, can't really make out the rest, though. What is your perspective on it? Curator: What interests me is how this simple ink drawing transcends mere representation. It asks us to consider the jar not just as a container, but as a product, an object of labor, circulated and consumed. The act of drawing it, with a specific address inscribed, brings in the very materiality of urban life and its commercial networks. Editor: So, you're focusing on the object as a manufactured commodity, rather than appreciating it for any artistic merit? Curator: Precisely. Look at the crude lines, almost industrial in their efficiency. What materials were being stored in this container? Where were these containers manufactured and sold? The flowers on the surface - who was the target demographic of these decorated wares? These details reveal much about the intersection of art, labor, and the domestic sphere in mid-20th century New York. What kind of inferences can you make based on these clues? Editor: That’s interesting. I initially saw it as a simple drawing, but considering the potential uses and marketing of the jar really opens up a whole new perspective on its cultural context. It seems less like art and more like functional design, or maybe even an advertisement! Curator: Exactly! And by examining it through that lens, we begin to understand the social forces shaping not only its production, but also its reception. Editor: I see the point now! By focusing on materials and labor, the drawing serves as a great insight on consumer culture in New York, more than just a still life study. Thank you! Curator: Indeed! The 'art' here lies in unpacking its cultural significance.