Vase c. 1938

Curator: Take a look at "Vase," a drawing by Giacinto Capelli, created around 1938. It appears to be charcoal and perhaps oil pastel on toned paper. What’s your first impression? Editor: It's so…grounded. Not in the 'philosophical' sense, but earthy. The muted palette makes me think of worn pottery found in an excavation site, with centuries clinging to its surface. Curator: Yes, the materials are evocative. You mentioned pottery—the artist's rendering with drawing implements lends a specific aura compared to the actual object made from clay and the related labor processes, of course. The choice to depict a humble vessel elevates everyday craft. Editor: Absolutely, and it makes me wonder about its story. Was it a beloved household item? A discarded remnant? The subtle imperfections give it such character. Curator: Think about the intended use versus the status it’s given by this detailed, delicate portrayal. Was this originally just a utilitarian item, intended for the transit and storage of liquid, repurposed for visual consumption within a different socioeconomic structure? How would Capelli’s intended viewers use their domestic space? Editor: Ah, so we circle back to utility and the evolution of value! That little dent near the base tells a tale. I almost want to reach out and touch the worn texture... I can imagine the coolness of the ceramic against my palm. Curator: Exactly! By turning the quotidian into an art object, he invites us to consider both the practical labor that shapes it, as well as the potential artistic license and even capital that defines its worth in different hands. Editor: So interesting to reflect on such humble subject matter. It feels like an intimate meditation on the beauty in the everyday, made remarkable through attention and skill. Curator: Precisely. Hopefully, listeners are able to engage further by thinking about its creation and subsequent life and worth in society. Editor: Beautifully said. A simple form, filled with layers of material history.