Plate 1939

Editor: This watercolour and ink drawing from 1939 is titled "Plate," by Giacinto Capelli. The simple lines forming a geometric figure against the muted tan background evoke a sense of serenity. What do you make of this deceptively simple image? Curator: It's intriguing, isn’t it? At first glance, one might see just a simple plate as a decorative element, but knowing Capelli worked with indigenous communities in the Americas and that this piece emerged in 1939 shifts the focus. How does this geometric element communicate or engage Indigenous narratives? Editor: Well, the depiction feels almost ethnographic. Like he's recording an object from a specific culture. Curator: Exactly. And in the context of the late 1930s, we have to consider power dynamics. Whose story is being told and how? Is this representation respectful, or does it exoticize? Think about the gaze, and who holds it in this image. Editor: I see your point. It raises questions about appropriation versus appreciation. Curator: Absolutely. The simplicity could be seen as a reduction of complex cultural meaning, or perhaps an attempt to find universality. Is there something intrinsic to geometry and design? However, without further context from Capelli, it remains ambiguous. Perhaps Capelli documented the object's material presence without really taking the time to reflect on its purpose, function and, by extension, its significance to a whole cultural group. What does this imply for current-day museological collection efforts? Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way. Now I’m wondering how the object was originally used, what kind of social relations and history made the material of the item. Curator: Precisely! Seeing this “Plate” reminds me to reflect on our contemporary engagement with ethnographic art and our collection habits, not only through the work produced by indigenous populations of the American continent, but elsewhere in the world as well. The beauty and apparent simplicity are undeniable, yet it challenges us to look deeper, right? Editor: It really does! It has certainly made me re-evaluate my first impressions. Thanks for your guidance!