Lidded serving dish 1938

Editor: So, here we have Belle Kogan’s “Lidded Serving Dish” from 1938, currently residing at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. It’s all sleek metal and streamlined curves. To me, it feels almost like a futuristic train designed for dinner parties. What catches your eye about it? Curator: It’s so evocative of the Art Deco era, isn't it? Look at that unwavering dedication to geometric form and streamlining. One almost expects to see it in a lavish movie musical of the time! But Kogan's choices have weight beyond mere aesthetics, what purpose might it fulfill in a space? What is it about its shape, form, and materials that strikes you? Editor: Well, it’s so polished and shiny, it’s definitely designed to catch the light and, you know, show off the delicious food within, or maybe just to reflect the glamour of the party itself? Curator: Exactly! It's as much a statement piece as it is a functional object. Kogan’s work here captures a specific moment in time, doesn’t it? Post-depression America was striving toward modernity and projecting optimism with everything from architecture to tableware, all sleek, optimistic, forward. It also reflects the machine age-- but not in an off-putting, industrial way. It shows how machines could still provide us elegance! Editor: I never thought about it in relation to the social context. I can almost picture people gathered around it, all dressed in their best Deco outfits. I suppose objects can tell you a story, just as much as a painting or a sculpture can! Curator: Absolutely! They ground us to an era, encapsulating ambitions and aspirations. Kogan’s design wasn't simply about aesthetics; it was a testament to the enduring power of design and utility blending seamlessly, creating beauty in everyday life! That in itself is quite profound. Editor: Thinking about it that way has given me a whole new perspective, I can't wait to bring it up at the next lecture. Thanks for pointing that out!