Old Dominy House, East Hampton 1928

Editor: Here we have Childe Hassam's "Old Dominy House, East Hampton." It's a drawing, with a delicate, almost ephemeral feel. What stands out to you when you look at the materials used to create it? Curator: It’s fascinating how Hassam uses graphite, a readily available material, to depict this house. Consider the labor involved in sourcing, preparing, and applying the materials that would have been used to build the actual house. How does the drawing then, become a commentary on labor and value itself? Editor: That's a great point. I hadn't considered the contrast between the "real" house and its representation. Curator: Right, this drawing prompts us to consider the social context of both its creation and the creation of the house itself. It's about materiality, production, and the intersection of art and everyday life. Editor: I’m beginning to see how this simple drawing opens up so many avenues for understanding the processes and labor behind it. Thank you!