Dog still bank c. 20th century

Curator: This delightful object is a ceramic sculpture, circa 20th century, titled "Dog still bank." The unknown artist created a whimsical piece of decorative art, residing here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. What are your initial thoughts? Editor: It's undeniably charming. I love its quirky proportions and that bold red against the black. The dog has such an expressive face for a simple design. How do you see this piece from an art perspective? Curator: I see an object richly embedded in formal contrasts. Note how the geometric abstraction of the diamond patterning interacts with the more organic shape of the canine form. The use of colour creates a dynamic visual rhythm that draws the eye across the object. The relationship between positive and negative space within each red diamond introduces visual interest. Are you struck by the texture, or the process involved? Editor: Yes, the texture seems smooth, almost polished, which contradicts my expectations of ceramic. Did the artist want a certain symmetry in the work? Curator: It seems the bilateral symmetry is intentional to establish visual balance to enhance its recognizability. Despite that regularity, subtle asymmetries are in place, in the crafting of the face that give the figure a lively, folk-art appeal. Notice how the tail seems almost an afterthought! What do you make of that? Editor: That detail shows that functionality wasn't as important as visual interest! The functionality does give context to its overall playful, youthful design. I now find its quirks to be more valuable, as I first viewed it as an entirely aesthetic sculpture. Curator: I concur; its visual language merges function and aesthetic pleasure seamlessly. It reveals how everyday objects can embody sophisticated formal concerns. Editor: That’s definitely a great observation; I hadn’t thought about how practicality influences its design and how much I love its red colors even more!