-Piggy Bank (blue)- still bank c. 20th century

Editor: Here we have a cobalt-blue glass piggy bank from around the 20th century, location at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. It’s so tactile! And the color makes it feel almost like a precious object rather than something purely functional. What story do you think it tells? Curator: It's interesting you use the word precious. Often, objects like this, made relatively cheaply and intended for everyday use, weren't considered worthy of artistic consideration until relatively recently. We need to consider when and why institutions like Mia started collecting objects like this. How did everyday objects become museum objects? What does that tell us about the changing definition of "art" and its value within our culture? Editor: That’s a great point. So its placement in the museum itself, elevates the Piggy Bank's importance, doesn't it? I hadn’t thought about it that way. I suppose I’m used to museums full of all kinds of items. Curator: Precisely. The institutional context frames our understanding. Think about the broader social function this little pig serves. It reflects a capitalist value system being ingrained from a young age – saving, delayed gratification. But is it presented neutrally? Or is there an implied endorsement? Editor: So you're suggesting it's a sort of… propaganda, in a way? Curator: Perhaps a soft form of it. It's subtly shaping attitudes towards money and work. Editor: Wow, I hadn't considered the historical framing of this little guy. Thanks for sharing these viewpoints; I have so much to think about now. Curator: My pleasure. These supposedly simple objects often carry the weight of complex social histories and power dynamics.