Vase c. 1936

Editor: Here we have Janet Riza's "Vase," made around 1936 using watercolor and drawing techniques. The first thing I noticed is how realistic and detailed it is. What do you make of this piece? Curator: Well, what strikes me is the tension between its realism and its inherent purpose. It depicts a seemingly commonplace object. But think about the 1930s. This was a period marked by both the rise of mass production and the simultaneous idealization of craft and artisanal skills amidst economic hardship. Is Riza simply documenting, or is she subtly commenting on the societal value we place on decorative objects during times of both abundance and scarcity? Editor: That’s interesting, I didn’t consider that! Is it possible it was a commercial piece then? Curator: Precisely! Works like this were frequently commissioned by manufacturers, especially in the glass industry. These weren't necessarily high art, but rather served as design blueprints or marketing materials, influencing consumer desires and mass production techniques. The 'politics of imagery' are often overlooked when we focus on what we define as high art. Consider who typically got to decide which designs made it to production and ultimately shaped everyday visual culture. Editor: I never considered the social forces behind design choices this way before! So much of what we see daily is impacted by power and economics. Curator: Exactly. Even something as simple as a vase reflects so much more about a period than we initially imagine. Editor: I’ll never look at decorative art the same way again! Thank you!