Desk c. 1936

Editor: This is "Desk," a drawing from around 1936 by Edna C. Rex. It’s seemingly an architectural sketch, and the aged paper gives it a fragile feel. What do you make of it? Curator: Well, on one level it is a utilitarian piece, likely a furniture design, but its existence as a preserved drawing gives it a public function beyond mere instruction. Considering it was made during the Depression era, designs like this speak to aspirations of affordable domesticity and even reflect social desires for comfort and stability. Editor: So, you see it connected to the broader social climate? Curator: Precisely. How did designers visualize accessible design at that time? Also, think about amateur sketches; how they represent not only a design idea, but also leisure time and self-expression. Who was the audience, then and now, and how does that change the work’s function? Editor: It’s fascinating how a seemingly simple drawing can reflect so many layers of history and social meaning. Curator: Yes, by looking closely, we reveal what the work tells us about design accessibility, class and personal creativity back then, versus how we perceive those factors now. Editor: I see that this work holds much more than meets the eye at first glance! Thank you for highlighting the importance of historical context and the multiple meanings an artwork can embody. Curator: Absolutely! I found it exciting to discuss how our different experiences shape an artwork’s significance.