-Happy Days Bank- still bank c. 1930s

Editor: Here we have the "Happy Days Bank" still bank, created around the 1930s by J. Chein & Company. It seems to be made of some kind of mixed media, perhaps with pigments. It's shaped like a little barrel, and I’m curious about how these novelty banks relate to the broader economic landscape of the time. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: This is an excellent object for considering materiality and consumption during the Depression era. It's not just a charming collectible; it's a material record of aspirations amidst economic hardship. Look at the juxtaposition of “Happy Days” with the function of a bank. It presents a complex commentary on manufactured optimism. Editor: Manufactured optimism? What do you mean? Curator: Well, the use of relatively inexpensive materials and mass production techniques speaks to the democratization of consumer goods, even during a period of austerity. Consider how this object participates in constructing an idealized vision of “happy days” when economic realities suggested otherwise. The medium itself becomes part of the message, pushing forward a message of hope but grounded by the means of its construction. It masks a deeper reality with surface level visuals. Editor: So, the materiality of the bank and its function creates a narrative? Curator: Precisely. It uses simple material culture as a way of promising happier futures. This challenges us to rethink these mass-produced objects. Are these historical treasures or a product of something more devious? Editor: That's given me a lot to consider when viewing objects like these. I’ll think about that message with material going forward. Curator: Excellent, analyzing pieces with historical context really deepens our understanding of it.