-Jumo- collapsible desk lamp 1945

Curator: This is the Jumo collapsible desk lamp, created around 1945. It resides here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Editor: Well, right off, that gleam, the mix of what looks like Bakelite and polished metal, there’s something both utilitarian and decadent about it. It’s compact but makes a real statement with its geometries and finish. Curator: The lamp's design aligns with the postwar emphasis on efficiency and mass production. The geometric form facilitates easy manufacturing, reducing both labor and material waste. Editor: It really screams machine-age production. But think about who made this and how; was it crafted by hand using molds and presses or assembled mechanically? What does the division of labor look like in its production history, given its elegance? Curator: Good questions. Design like this played a significant role in shaping consumer culture post-war, influencing public perception of modernity through affordable design available to a burgeoning middle class. These streamlined shapes stood as a bold contrast with pre-war ornamentation. Editor: Definitely. And what about the material itself? I'm especially drawn to the brass elements against what looks like Bakelite plastic. These choices affect the longevity of the piece and also signal certain economic realities when materials were more readily available or rationed. It makes you think of functionality merging into artistic value as the materials reflect both its age and cultural purpose. Curator: I agree. It encapsulates an interesting blend of aspiration and practicality, reflective of postwar societies embracing technological progress and consumer goods that also, at times, fell short on actual sustainability and democratic design principles. Editor: Exactly. It leaves me pondering who sat beneath its light and the kinds of documents it illuminated, the processes it oversaw. Thank you, a fantastic convergence of purpose and history. Curator: Yes, examining objects like these encourages us to reconsider the past as one still present in shaping consumer values, a legacy that should never be regarded neutrally.