Watch Key c. 1938

Here we have Harry Grossen’s ‘Watch Key’, made with some kind of pen, ink, or maybe watercolor, and look at how much space he has given it. It's so subtle, you could almost miss it, but it's all about the process; the delicate line and the restraint of the palette make the object almost float on the page. The color is muted, a kind of antique gold, which gives the key a sense of history, like it’s been passed down through generations. That tiny dog on the key! It’s a gesture, a wink, something personal, that brings out the humanity of the object. It's as if Grossen is saying, "Yes, this is a watch key, but it’s also a little sculpture, a little friend." And there’s something else, a sense of humor, a playfulness, reminiscent of Claes Oldenburg's approach to the everyday object. Ultimately, it reminds us that art is an ongoing conversation.