-Day by Day c. mid 20th century

Editor: Here we have *Day by Day*, a mid-20th century metal assemblage piece by J. Chein & Company, currently residing at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. I’m immediately struck by the almost childlike quality of it - that repetitive pattern gives it such a playful energy. What's your take on this vibrant little structure? Curator: It sings to me of memory, like a half-forgotten lullaby. I feel the hands of a child clutching pennies, the promise whispered: “Day by Day, a penny a meal." Notice how the repetitive brick pattern, rendered in that bold red, creates a visual mantra. It’s not just a building; it's a vessel for hopes, for prayers repeated like the design itself. Don't you think? Editor: That's a lovely image - "a visual mantra." Do you think that repetition connects with the spiritual nature of the church? Curator: Absolutely. The layering, the simple yet bright colours, evoke folk art traditions, and a pure, unwavering faith. The metal, usually cold, is transformed into something warm, something devotional. It’s more than just an object; it becomes an emblem of resilience, a tangible reminder of collective efforts and childhood innocence. Do you see it? Editor: I do. Now, I’m wondering about how it resonates with the Pattern and Decoration movement. There's certainly a sense of rejecting artistic elitism, creating beauty from the everyday. Curator: Precisely. This penny bank whispers of the extraordinary within the ordinary. It challenges us to consider what we value, both materially and spiritually. What has this piece sparked in you, now? Editor: It really does highlight how simple acts of giving can create something beautiful and meaningful over time, like the artwork itself! Thanks for sharing that!