Writing Arm Chair c. 1940

Editor: We are looking at “Writing Arm Chair”, circa 1940, a drawing in pencil on paper by Rolland Livingstone. It's a technical drawing showing different views of the chair, but somehow, its strict geometric shapes and practical function feels really distant from fine art. What's your take on it? Curator: This drawing interests me because it speaks to the blurring of lines between design, utility, and artistic practice. The pencil and paper become tools, not just for artistic expression, but for planning the tangible creation of furniture. Where does the 'art' reside here? Is it in the skilled rendering, or the social impact of providing affordable furniture designs? Editor: So you're saying its artistic value might lie in its function? I hadn't considered that. The label "drawing" seems inadequate, it's almost closer to an instruction manual. Curator: Exactly! Think about who created this, and why. The "how" is very important here. How did this affect consumers? Who had access to this type of plan? These drawings democratized design, placing functional aesthetics in the hands of the everyday maker. And pencil on paper? Accessible. Humble. Powerful in its ubiquity. Editor: So, by focusing on the materials and how they are utilized, we can start to understand this work as more than just a technical diagram. Curator: Precisely. The piece, through its very material and intended application, embodies a shift in artistic value toward accessible design. Think about who had access to such things. Was it the elite? Or did such renderings allow accessibility of making to the masses? Editor: That gives me a new perspective, especially thinking about the societal impact of readily available designs. I never considered the materials themselves as a form of democratizing art. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. This piece compels us to consider how art can empower both the individual maker and, ultimately, the community it serves.