Flag-pole Finial Pigeon 1935 - 1942

Curator: Here we have Chris Makrenos' watercolor, "Flag-pole Finial Pigeon," created between 1935 and 1942. What strikes you about this piece? Editor: Its rusted textures. Immediately, I’m seeing notions of decay and resilience. It's surprising how much weight that patina carries; this object seems to have survived… something. Curator: Indeed. Note how Makrenos uses watercolors to mimic the weathering effects on metal. He masterfully renders the corrosion, creating depth and realism with strategic color choices. Editor: This wasn't simply artistic flourish; using watercolor as the primary medium offers more than just visual texture. Its very creation speaks to the work’s place. Was there an effort to portray this object as worn? I think there may have been, intentionally. Curator: Contextually, flag pole finials have always represented symbols of authority, yet there's an irony to be found in choosing a pigeon. Editor: The pigeon being the common urban fixture... The artist seems to embrace that juxtaposition: grandeur confronted with the everyday. A conscious disruption to conventional power structures, perhaps? Curator: Quite possibly, but look at the composition itself. The placement of the bird with raised wings against the flat backdrop. See how Makrenos plays with shape, tone and the overall graphic qualities? Editor: I see what you mean, there is an undeniable graphical presence—yet knowing of the flagpole connection, do you see the symbolism as somewhat defiant considering the climate back then? Curator: Knowing the finial's symbolic significance, a realist rendering seems to place it squarely in a moment of great historical upheaval. Its visual impact becomes tied to collective concerns about change, conflict and the symbolic endurance of objects in public spaces. Editor: Absolutely. And viewed through that lens, that mottled surface speaks to more than simple weathering; they seem like literal battle scars, signs of a world changing underfoot. Curator: In closing, by dissecting the piece and analyzing Makrenos' compositional decisions, we've gained a deeper understanding. Editor: Indeed, seeing the historical context allowed the rusted colors of "Flag-pole Finial Pigeon" to fly, carrying on its painted wings much heavier symbolic meaning.