Beker 1927

Editor: Here we have Carel Begeer’s "Beker," created in 1927. It seems to be made of metal, likely silver, and I’m struck by how incredibly smooth and unadorned it is. It's almost austere in its simplicity. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a very deliberate exploration of industrial aesthetics through precious materials. Consider the historical context: 1927 was a period of massive industrial expansion and evolving social roles. The craftsman is responding to industrial means, adopting simplified geometric form and machine-like precision while employing hand-craftsmanship and costly materials like silver. Editor: So, the "Beker" is both a rejection of, and an embrace of, industrialization? Curator: Precisely. This “Beker” challenges conventional assumptions about high art and craft, production methods, and even social status. Is it purely decorative, or does its unadorned surface elevate its utilitarian function? Are the visible concentric circles near its base a sign of decoration or part of a larger purpose? Consider how mass production, access to resources, and labor practices of the time would impact how we view its function. Editor: So, rather than simply being a drinking vessel, the “Beker” is also a commentary on the changing relationship between human labor and machine production? Curator: Indeed. And the deliberate use of precious material is what sets it apart from typical machine-made goods and causes us to consider the economic, social, and labor dynamics involved in creating an ostensibly "simple" object. The means of making shapes our appreciation of its aesthetics and significance. Editor: That makes me appreciate its subtle commentary and craftsmanship so much more. I wouldn't have considered all the social contexts otherwise. Curator: Precisely! By paying attention to such conditions of production we challenge preconceived ideas about aesthetic pleasure and social functions of art objects.