Waffle Iron c. 1937

Curator: Let's discuss "Waffle Iron," a drawing created circa 1937 with pencil and colored pencil by Florence Stevenson. What's your initial take on it? Editor: It’s striking how ordinary yet almost monumental this kitchen utensil appears. The dark, mottled texture of the iron contrasts sharply with the light background, creating a sense of weight and presence. It's a humble object elevated. Curator: Indeed. Stevenson, who contributed to the Index of American Design, part of the WPA Federal Art Project, was tasked with documenting American decorative and folk arts. The choice of such a utilitarian object speaks volumes about the project's aims. Editor: Absolutely. Consider the era, the Great Depression. The WPA sought to valorize everyday American life. Rendering a waffle iron with such attention feels like a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of ordinary people making do with what they have. It transforms domestic labor into a subject worthy of artistic consideration. Curator: And it's more than just documentation; it’s interpretation. Look at the inclusion of precise measurements and technical diagrams alongside the rendering. It bridges the gap between art and industrial design, reflecting the era's fascination with both. Editor: I agree, it elevates a mundane object but there is a clear effort to apply this style to technical drafting to the same artistic goal of elevating mundane life. By merging artistic vision with precise measurements, she validates women's work. It is almost a subversive claim to legitimacy that celebrates practicality as a valid expression. Curator: Precisely. Furthermore, pieces created for the Index became accessible to museums, libraries, and schools. Through her meticulous hand, a piece of domestic life in the drawing like "Waffle Iron," became available and a valid topic of art for the masses. Editor: This work exemplifies how art can function as a tool for cultural preservation and social commentary. Curator: It does. Stevenson asks us to consider the politics embedded in our daily lives and what narratives are considered art, valuable, and valid. Editor: I find it truly remarkable how the careful representation of something so simple opens up so many avenues for contemplation.