Flat Iron Holder c. 1938

Curator: We’re looking at “Flat Iron Holder,” a drawing dating to around 1938, by Jack Staloff. It's rendered in graphite on paper. Editor: It's gorgeous! Such ornate detail for something so...domestic. It's got this antique quality, like something unearthed from a Victorian parlor. Almost gothic with those swirling flourishes. Curator: The geometric structure underlying the decorative details is fascinating. Staloff seems preoccupied with revealing its planar surfaces through the tonal gradations. Editor: Right? It’s almost aggressively ornate, a far cry from minimalist. There’s a certain boldness, almost brashness in it's commitment to detail. Like saying, "Even the mundane can be beautiful." Curator: Precisely. The work engages with questions of functionality versus aesthetics. We see that tension embodied in this utilitarian object transformed into something…artful. The inclusion of the scale reinforces the sense of design as art, elevating an otherwise unremarkable artifact. Editor: I can practically smell the wood smoke from the iron and starch on freshly pressed linen! Does that make sense? It evokes such a strong sensory experience beyond the purely visual. There’s a warmth there despite the almost metallic feel. I suppose the graphite gives it that…weight. Curator: That warmth comes from its commitment to decorative art traditions, where beauty is accessible and integrated into the domestic sphere. We can trace that intention from the material--paper--up to the drawing technique, wherein form and utility coincide. Editor: Well, it definitely elevates my appreciation of something as quotidian as a flat iron holder. Makes you wonder about all the forgotten crafts people imbuing everyday objects with so much creativity. Curator: Indeed. By looking at this work by Staloff, we find something precious. It causes one to ponder form and function. Editor: Agreed! Now I'm itching to explore the intersection of design, utility, and art, armed with a whole new way to see the everyday!