Vase c. 1953

Editor: This is an anonymous glass vase at the Harvard Art Museums. Its simple form gives it a very modern feel. What can you tell me about its potential historical context? Curator: Its anonymity is interesting. Without knowing the maker or precise date, we can still consider how glass objects functioned within specific social settings. How might similar vessels have been used, displayed, and valued in different eras? Editor: Maybe it’s about accessibility and the democratization of art? It’s so simple, maybe mass-produced. Curator: Precisely. Considering its accessibility, how might its display within a museum setting today alter or reinforce its perceived value and purpose? Editor: I never considered the museum's influence like that! Curator: It's all about the layers of meaning that institutions can add to an object.