"Turk's Head" Mold c. 1940

Curator: This minimalist drawing, created around 1940 by Isadore Goldberg, is titled "\"Turk's Head\" Mold." It's rendered in ink on paper. Editor: My immediate response is that it's strikingly simple, almost austere. The repeating vertical lines within that curved form are somehow calming, like looking at an architectural rendering. Curator: The title points toward the intended function, indicating its original context of the artist and the purpose that it had. “Turk’s Head” is typically associated with elaborate knotwork used for decoration or utility and may represent more than geometric art. Goldberg likely developed this pattern as a conceptual outline. Editor: I am intrigued by that symmetry within asymmetry. Look at how those curving lines both define individual sections and simultaneously emphasize the overall bowl shape. It’s a lovely visual puzzle—clear in its construction yet dynamic to see the whole in it. Curator: Consider also the cultural elements in play here. World War II impacted artistic production; materials were scarce, impacting artwork design choices and opportunities to do more works. Minimalist design and geometrical form emerged because the need to convey messages was bigger than material to develop the project. Editor: Yet, within that apparent starkness, it speaks to our understanding. The lines themselves almost look hand-drawn to demonstrate accuracy of measurement to give perspective. The material choices—basic ink and paper—highlight form with less effort and resources in its function of the whole artwork. Curator: Precisely, it invites consideration of the artistic expression but serves for the development and practical application and purpose. We see a clear connection to functionality but an elegant composition too. Editor: Indeed, by analyzing its construction as minimalist and economic, the function seems very prominent. A single view like looking at a architectural form itself. A technical masterpiece to express beauty in function in an objective form of geometrical pattern. Curator: When situating within art and history, we learn and value culture during difficult times. I hope that’s valuable when our listeners observe the function of forms and objects as pieces of visual culture during unique cultural times. Editor: Yes, reflecting upon what constitutes beauty, the functional is artistic during all points of History. Thank you.