Fan c. 1941

Orville Cline rendered this fan with watercolor, presenting a utilitarian object elevated to a subject of artistic contemplation. The fan, especially in its folded form, carries the weight of hidden meanings and subtle communication. Consider the fan not merely as an instrument for cooling but as a coded language. In numerous cultures, the fan has been used to express emotions and intentions, a silent dialogue between individuals. Think of the elaborate fan gestures in Spanish courtly dance or Japanese Noh theatre, where each movement conveys specific meanings, weaving a story through subtle motions. The rhythmic, repeated pleats suggest a sense of order and controlled release—much like our own breath and heart rate. The fan connects us to the ebb and flow of emotion and to the universal desire to temper passion with reason. The object's beauty hints at the potential to transform mundane actions into moments of profound human expression. Its echoes of history and human interaction resonate, leaving us to consider its cyclical return.