Weather Vane c. 1938

Editor: Here we have "Weather Vane," a watercolor and drawing created around 1938 by Ralph Morton. It strikes me as incredibly precise and clean; almost architectural in its rendering. I'm particularly drawn to the warm tones contrasting with the pale background. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Oh, I love the almost antiquated charm it possesses. It's a drawing, but also feels like a technical blueprint of a moment, or maybe even a little poem about civic life. Think about it – a weathervane! It tells us which way the wind blows, a very direct function. Yet this one says 'Court House,' tying the elements to the law, to human judgement. Editor: That's fascinating. It’s more than just decorative then? Curator: Much more, my friend. It's asking us about direction, both literal and metaphorical. Where does the wind take us, and where does the Court guide us? Plus, Ralph Morton wasn't merely documenting; the meticulousness betrays a certain affection, a fascination with craft. Does that little hand-drawn schematic in the corner hint at a failed prototype, maybe? Editor: A beautiful little meditation on order and chance, beautifully rendered. Curator: Exactly! Art making as quiet questioning. Now tell me, how does this 'architectural rendering' change your mind when looking at this piece? Editor: It makes me consider the thought process behind the artwork, moving away from simply something pleasing to the eye and instead focusing on a tangible utility. Curator: Precisely. Beauty isn’t always skin deep, eh? Perhaps Morton is challenging us to look deeper than aesthetic pleasantries in anything that we come across.