-German American Bank of Minneapolis- still bank c. 1920s

Curator: Before us stands a captivating object, a mixed-media metal sculpture from the Art Metal Works company, titled "-German American Bank of Minneapolis- still bank," dating back to the 1920s. Editor: It's quite striking! The gold color and the architectural lines immediately evoke a sense of established power, even in miniature. But the name… given the era, the “German American” designation piques my interest. Curator: Indeed, the title's a portal into history. It reminds us to consider the sociopolitical climate in the U.S. during and after World War I. The name "German American" might have been fraught with tension, perhaps reflecting both pride and a need to assert Americanness amidst rising nativism. Editor: Absolutely. Consider the cultural assimilation pressures during that period, the ways in which German-American identity was both celebrated and scrutinized. This seemingly innocuous object encapsulates a complex negotiation of identity. How interesting that someone felt it valuable to create and save wealth within this framework! Curator: Right, and the form itself, a miniature bank building, suggests the aspirations and values of a community. Banks not only store monetary resources, they function as anchors of power within communities, setting down architectural roots for those within and declaring permanence to those without. Editor: The Art Deco style enhances this further, representing modernity and prosperity. Yet the "still bank" nature is interesting. There’s something profoundly pedagogical about instilling financial responsibility at a young age by teaching an appreciation for material things as embodiments of progress, safety, and security. Who are we excluding by making them small or denying access through other means? Curator: That brings up questions of access, opportunity, and the societal narratives around wealth. Who could afford to save? Who was being encouraged to save? This sculpture operates on so many levels – as a financial tool, a decorative piece, and a loaded historical artifact. Editor: Looking at it this way enriches the piece immeasurably. A beautiful, concise piece ripe with implications on personal liberty as told by the relationship between a commercial enterprise and its base of customer support. It is in reality far from an isolated object. Curator: Agreed. These miniature architectures are never truly miniature in what they express of ourselves!