-Battleship Maine- still bank c. 1902

This cast iron "Battleship Maine" still bank, by E. Stevens, is a dark, heavy thing. You can imagine the process; the molten metal poured into the mold, solidifying, with the textures and details emerging from the dark. The surface is interesting, isn’t it? Kind of rough and uneven, with this mottled, bronze-y color. I love the way the light catches on those little details, like the turrets and the smokestacks. They're all a little bit wonky and imperfect, which to me makes it feel so alive. See that little area on the side of the ship? The metal has this almost rope-like texture – it’s hard to tell exactly what it is, but it adds to the overall feel of this weighty history. It's like the whole thing is built from shadows and memories. Makes me think of artists like Huma Bhabha, who also use rough materials to explore themes of history and power. Anyway, what do I know? Art's a conversation, not a lecture, right?