-Strike- mechanical bank 1970

Editor: Here we have -Strike- mechanical bank, produced around 1970 by Utexigual Products Inc. It's a delightful sculpture made of metal. I'm immediately drawn to the kitsch style. It feels so playful and nostalgic. What stands out to you when you look at this? Curator: Well, looking at the materiality of this piece is fascinating. The fact that it's cast metal points to mass production, a move away from unique, handcrafted items towards consumer goods. This piece reflects the labor and industrial processes that shaped mid-20th century America. Does it make you think about who might have owned and used this? Editor: I imagine a kid, probably. It being a bank makes me think the point was to encourage saving but in a fun, engaging way. Does that relate to what you were saying about consumption? Curator: Precisely. The act of depositing a coin becomes a spectacle, linking labor (earning money) to immediate gratification through this miniature bowling performance. It blurs the lines between high art and craft, functioning simultaneously as a toy, a bank, and a representation of leisure. Notice how it commodifies even the idea of a "strike"—instant success purchasable with a coin. It's about making production fun, no? Editor: That's interesting. It makes me think about how we consume even leisure activities, like bowling itself, through manufactured goods and experiences. I hadn’t considered the labor aspect tied to even this toy. Curator: Exactly. Everything is linked to its production! Editor: Thanks so much, I see it totally differently now! Curator: My pleasure.