Top Shelf 

Curator: Dan Graziano's painting, “Top Shelf,” offers a glimpse into a bustling bar scene, capturing figures at work behind the counter. Editor: My initial thought is that it is rather intimate and warm, despite the suggestion of industry. I’m immediately drawn to the way light is captured. The brushstrokes create such a soft focus effect. Curator: Graziano's application of oil paint contributes to this mood, doesn’t it? Consider how this ties to Impressionism, which sought to depict transient sensory experiences. How might we connect this scene to broader discussions of labor and gender within service industries? Editor: The visible brushwork and textured surfaces direct my attention toward the act of creation itself, shifting the focus from mere representation to the physical presence of the painting. The artist, Graziano, brings the production of art into the narrative, much like the labor of the bartenders they depict. Curator: Precisely. I would go further. The painting acknowledges the frequently overlooked labor of women. How the material is distributed throughout also reflects its social context. Editor: Right. Looking closer, I wonder about the subtle variations in color – not just in the array of liquor bottles lining the “top shelf”, but also in the figures' faces and garments. There seems to be intentionality there, a deliberate interplay of hues. And, of course, the array of glass behind the bar suggests preparation. Curator: It definitely appears to reflect the performative aspects of service—almost like a staged set ready to receive and engage the patrons. By capturing a liminal space where social interactions and transactions unfold, "Top Shelf" invites us to question the role and portrayal of workers. Editor: This brings another consideration to mind—the commodity. It depicts commercial spaces of leisure and labor; both artists and bartenders are contributing to an economy through skill. How are each regarded by consumers of this space? Curator: It gives us something to think about as we appreciate art and the labor that surrounds our everyday lives. I think I’ll reflect on all that it is communicating. Editor: Me too. Considering it through the materiality and social context has certainly deepened my understanding of the artist's choices.