Crowing Cock c. 1937

Curator: "Crowing Cock," created circa 1937 by Chris Makrenos, is rendered in watercolor and drawing, a piece showcasing a mechanical toy atop a simple, boxy structure. Editor: There’s a playful innocence that resonates, almost like a child’s cherished object carefully rendered. The rooster seems frozen mid-bob, its vibrant tail feathers contrasting with the earthy tones of the box. Curator: The cock as a symbol throughout history holds potent meaning – vigilance, courage, but also sometimes arrogance and machismo, making its representation as a mere toy more poignant, wouldn’t you agree? Given the looming shadow of the Second World War, this demotion from proud symbol to whimsical object begs the question about power structures at the time. Editor: Absolutely, its reduction to a toy diminishes the historical association of masculine pride; there's a sense of vulnerability imbued within this figure that makes it a more subtle and potent commentary. Curator: The artist has reduced complex symbolic weight into deceptively simple forms. The very materiality here shifts context completely. This watercolor becomes a mirror reflecting society's anxieties and reassessments, just on the precipice of significant global change. The vibrant color of the Rooster could symbolize the artist's attempt to retain cultural hope during those complicated and turbulent times. Editor: The details are also so intriguing! I see this coiled metal that almost seems to function like a backbone, contrasting beautifully against the wooden block—a metaphor perhaps for the fragile nature of even our strongest convictions or institutions. Curator: I find this piece, like many that examine seemingly everyday objects, speaks volumes about society's anxieties at the time. It's quite masterful, in that respect. Editor: And as the artist might be subtly hinting, a poignant reminder to find strength and joy amidst challenges and change.