Basin 1821 - 1846

Editor: This photograph captures a "Basin," likely a stoneware piece made by Josiah Danforth sometime between 1821 and 1846. Its simplicity gives it a very utilitarian feel. What stands out to you about this piece? Curator: I see an object that represents both daily life and artistic expression in early 19th century United States. But how does a photograph transform something as functional as a basin? It reframes its existence; it prompts us to question how objects become representations of cultural values. What stories does its utility obscure? Editor: Stories of gender roles perhaps? It does seem a purely functional object. Curator: Exactly! Consider who would have used this basin, what their daily lives were like, and how the photograph isolates the object from that context. The smooth, almost metallic appearance suggests a cleanliness that was likely an aspiration rather than a reality for many at that time. This basin exists as both object and aspiration; Danforth made these available and, to a degree, more accessible. Does the image spark new lines of thought in the contemporary context? Editor: Thinking about current disparities, like access to clean water. An everyday object is an intersection of historical narrative and current concerns. Curator: Precisely! This connects us to a lineage of making and using, while simultaneously highlighting persistent social issues. It prompts us to remember that art isn't divorced from life. Editor: Seeing the work through a social lens changes how I see its impact. Curator: It’s a reminder that we're always in conversation with history, reshaping the narrative.