Opposable Thumb
Bronze Cutlery, 2015 A.D.
Hand sculpted in wax and cast in bronze.
Using a historically significant process such as lost wax casting, my intent was to frame these objects in a different light, to bring our attention for a moment to the way we see and relate to the seemingly meaningless, mass-produced stuff that surround us in our daily lives. |
Plastic cutlery.
Someone designed these everyday objects. They are the product of human ingenuity and creativity but Hi-tech machines spit them out in the blink of an eye, they cost only a fraction of a penny to produce, they are given out freely, and they are thrown away without a thought.
They exist in an endless variety of forms; most fast food chains have their own custom-made designs. Nevertheless, they retain the main characteristics of those three age-old eating tools: the fork, the spoon, and the knife.
They are designed in function of their manufacturing process and material properties, not for their beauty or elegance. Despite this, they have a certain appeal: The simple lines are refined; the structural ridges that give them strength, like steel girders, offer an interesting tactile experience; they weigh practically nothing.
Much of todays culture and society could be revealed through these inconspicuous artifacts of daily life.
Someone designed these everyday objects. They are the product of human ingenuity and creativity but Hi-tech machines spit them out in the blink of an eye, they cost only a fraction of a penny to produce, they are given out freely, and they are thrown away without a thought.
They exist in an endless variety of forms; most fast food chains have their own custom-made designs. Nevertheless, they retain the main characteristics of those three age-old eating tools: the fork, the spoon, and the knife.
They are designed in function of their manufacturing process and material properties, not for their beauty or elegance. Despite this, they have a certain appeal: The simple lines are refined; the structural ridges that give them strength, like steel girders, offer an interesting tactile experience; they weigh practically nothing.
Much of todays culture and society could be revealed through these inconspicuous artifacts of daily life.