-U.S. Mail- still bank 1913

Editor: So, here we have -U.S. Mail- still bank, dating back to 1913, made by the Arcade Manufacturing Company. It’s currently housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. It's constructed from metal, and at first glance, its aged texture really gives it a sort of nostalgic and historical vibe. What’s your take when you look at it? Curator: It’s a tiny monument, isn’t it? To correspondence, to simpler times perhaps. It reminds me of childhood dreams of striking it rich… you know, saving every penny. But there's also something inherently… melancholy about a still bank designed to resemble a tool of communication. Do you ever wonder what dreams, big and small, might have once been dropped into the slot? Editor: That's beautifully put! The melancholy aspect is striking. Now that you mention the dreams, I almost feel like I am peeking into a bygone era of secrets and wishes. It makes one contemplate where all of the pocket change and little trinkets might have ended up. I'm curious, with all of those emotions considered, how does this all connect to decorative arts, and found object sculptures? Curator: Well, Decorative art, aims to marry function and form. In this case it’s both a piggy bank and a scale model of an icon of the American landscape: the humble mailbox. As for it being a 'found object'… well, it is cast metal but it resembles the original! It's less about finding and repurposing a literal mailbox and more about using casting as an appropriation of design! The transformation turns everyday object into art. And with that texture, the almost aged patina, each piece tells a story even beyond its form. What secrets do you imagine it holds, young scholar? Editor: Wow, I had never considered this. The piggy bank itself symbolizes dreams. All in all, I feel I will never look at "decorative arts" the same. Thanks for making it accessible and full of stories! Curator: The pleasure was all mine! Art isn't about finding fixed answers, but about framing conversations, wouldn't you agree?