“Thinking inside the box”…a short survey on the box as an art form and functional object

What is a box?Here are just a few definitions for the noun:1. a. A container typically constructed with four sides perpendicular to the base and often having a lid or cover. b. The amount or quantity that such a container can hold.2. A square or rectangle: Draw a box around your answer.3. a. A separated compartment in a public place of entertainment, such as a theater or stadium, for the accommodation of a small group.b. An area of a public place, such as a courtroom or stadium, marked off and restricted for use by persons performing a specific function: a jury box.4. A small structure serving as a shelter: a sentry box.

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/box

For centuries boxes traditionally have served the practical purpose of concealing, protecting

and/or containing things for their owners. Some boxes are ancient…

Roman Empire 1st to 3rd Century AD

http://www.roman-artifacts.com/Miscellaneous%20Ancient%20Items/Roman%20Bronze%20Box/Roman%20Bronze%20Box.htmhttp://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/bisphenol-a-microwave-safe-47111702

Photo: Long Ha / Istock

and some are new

Boxes can contain food and drinks…

…collections and

treasures

…gifts and surprises

Boxes can be…

Packed, Shipped…and

Watched

They can hold

Secrets… and votes

People…

live in boxes, work in boxes

are buried in

boxes,

worship boxes,

Reliquary from the Shrine of St. Oda

http://www.learn.columbia.edu/treasuresofheaven/relics/Reliquary-from-the-Shrine-of-St-Oda.phpPhotographs of objects from the Metropolitan Museum of Art copyright © 2010 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

and sometimes drive boxes!

GUZERhttp://www.guzer.com/pictures/rubix_car.php

Boxes can be art!

Kirsten Justesen, Sculpture II, 1969

http://www.moca.org/wack/?p=193© 2011 MOCA The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles.Wack

Andy Warhol with his Brillo box sculptures in New York’s Stable Gallery, 1964. Art News, November 2009. Fred W. McDarrah/Getty Images.http://andthentherewasthis.com/post/566694267/andy-warhol-with-his-brillo-box-sculptures-in-new#/

http://michiganexposures.blogspot.com/2010/10/endover-cube.html

The Endover Cube Bernard Rosenthal1968

http://www.mountainsculptors.org/index.html

Rat-in-a-box by Ripp Smith

Piet MondrianImage source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/72/Mondrian_CompRYB.jpg/300px-Mondrian_CompRYB.jpg

Boxes are featured in art, literature and film

PandoraJ.W.Waterhouse

1896 . Oil on canvas

http://trashfilmguru.wordpress.com/tag/cameron-diaz/

http://adultcostumeshalloween.net/adult-costumes/dont-open-the-

puzzle-box/

PandoraF.S. Church

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/viewPhoto?uname=maga799&aid=5054341022787853377&iid=5054341194586545266

http://www.jwwaterhouse.com/paintings/

Sometimes the outside of the box tells the story of what is inside…

Nilecartouche JewelryCopyright - 2011 Nilecartouche.com , All Rights Reserved. http://www.nilecartouche.com/pc/egyptianhieroglyphic.asp

Much of the time the contents of boxes tell the story of the owner.

Andy Warhol Time Capsuleshttp://edu.warhol.org/index2.htmlhttp://www.gss.ucsb.edu/faculty/spieker/research/preview2.html

Jem’s cigar box collection from film, To Kill a Mockingbird http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x53g19_to-kill-a-mockingbird-ouverture_shortfilms

http://lyricsdog.eu/s/funny%20cubicle

http://www.designjuices.co.uk/2011/04/15-inspiring-office-

cubicles/

Do you have a treasure box?

What is inside?Are you hiding anything?

What does it tell about you?

Let’s make boxes…

• Origami• What is in your locker?• Talking Heads…• Pandora’s box…what are your

demons?