-The Wise Pig- still bank c. 1929

Editor: This bronze sculpture, entitled "-The Wise Pig- still bank," dates back to around 1929. The texture of the metal and the slightly eerie smile of the pig create an unsettling mood for a child's toy. What do you see in this piece beyond just the surface? Curator: Beyond the pig itself, I'm struck by how this object embodies the social context of its time. Look at the inscription. The repeated phrases "Save a penny" points to a culture obsessed with thrift. What labor went into the industrial production of this object, to reinforce these ideals about frugality, even to children? Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't considered. So, the *production* itself is a statement? Curator: Absolutely. Consider the use of bronze – a relatively durable, though cheap, material for a child's object. It’s not just about containing money; it’s about the systematic creation of values. Mass production shaped behaviors related to money from a very young age. Editor: That makes me think about the 'decorative art' categorization. Isn't that term a little reductive, considering its societal implications? Curator: Exactly! That category can obscure how "craft," even mass-produced craft like this bank, is intertwined with economic systems and enforces capitalist norms. It is not *merely* decorative, it's ideological. Editor: This has definitely given me a new perspective on everyday objects as reflections of economic realities. Curator: And understanding that material production creates ideologies, it might help you to approach other artworks as more than just aesthetic experiences.