Would it not be fair to say that an integrated circuit, which contains, at tiny scale, a specific structure and function capable of endlessly variable, yet meaningful outputs, is an enchanted crystal.
What is a meaningful thing?
A work of art, generally speaking, is an enchantment of a physical object. It attempts to tell a story, or make reference to something beyond. Paint splashes on canvas stand for the sunrise. The carving represents the bird.
Words have meaning. They are symbols, and as such can represent things others than themselves: intentions, plans, stories. When we speak words into a thing, are we not enchanting it? If we share the the language.
Objects, like chairs, tables and shelves are typically seen as functional, not symbolic. But, when this table is made of wood reclaimed from grandfathers fishing boat, or that is the very chair mother sat in the night before I was born, they prompt us to tell our stories. The mute objects are enchanted, and in turn enchant those listening.
The chair can be metaphor for the body, a table the extension of my lap. When the references are shareable, signs, they are semiotic. Their meanings can be shared within a culture.
Could this bookshelf be a metaphor for a marriage?
Why not?
It carries stories. It sturdily contains a masculine and feminine end.
As we live with the most utilitarian, un-metaphoric objects, they acquire layers of referential, personal meaning.
The silver spoon Mom fed me with.
The wedding dress.
The made thing can tell stories, recall the past. When the signs emerge from the same culture, the meanings of the objects can be shared was well.
This shelf holds our favorite books.
The books are already dense with meaning because we have read them.
Can the shelf reflect that? ...be covered with signs?
What does it take for the shelf to become a work of art?
The material can tell its own story. The story of the tree.
It can take the form of another object. The electric lamp can recall a torch, the shelf can suggest a body part, or a building.
It can be signed by the maker.
It can be a “picture”, or “book” itself.
I made the base for this lamp twice, after many months of thinking and slowly acquiring the parts. I still made many errors of craftsmanship of the first version. I finally placed it on a square base, perhaps 14" x 14". It was clumsy and, even at that size was unstable on the carpeted floor. After living with it a few months, it occured to me to redo the base in the same vocabulary of 3/4"x3/4" sticks whch could be splayed out further (more stable) and yet presented less mass.
