knives as art

I agree that there is art in a well designed unadorned knife, but when discussing with members of the art community, it is doubtful that they would see it that way. My guess is that they would consider it to be, much like a well designed screwdriver, a tool. In almost all cases, members of the knife community and members of the art community would look differently on what was considered art where knives are concerned.

Even within the knife community there is a class of knives called Art Knives. When books show these kinds of knives, you never see basic, well designed hunters with excellent fit and finish. These knives are not even included when they have embellishments such as scrimshaw, engraving, or carving. Generally it is the scrimshaw, engraving and carving that is seen as art, not the knife.
 
Is there art in the cars and trucks we drive?
Is there art in our clothes ?
Is there art in our homes we build?
Is there art in our furnishings?

I think art is kind of like sience, it's just about in every thing we do and make.

Look up artist in the dictionary-- a person who does something with skill.

Look up artistic -- done skillfully and with good sense of color, form, design, etc.......
having a feeling for what is beautiful :D
but then what do I know?, I'm just a knife maker.:cool:
TAD
 
bigal2me said:
Is there art in the cars and trucks we drive?
Is there art in our clothes ?
Is there art in our homes we build?
Is there art in our furnishings?
Click to expand...

Not if you drive a lada.
I wear blue jeans and flannel shirts, so in my case, no.
Some yes, some no.
Is there art in cinder blocks and apple crates?:p
 
Keith,
I said JUST ABOUT.
cinder blocks and apple crates? I'm no art critic, just a knife maker.
Some one out there who makes them, may think so? :rolleyes:
TAD
 
Todd, my comments were tongue in cheek. The cinder blocks and apple crates were in response to your question about art in our furnishings.
 
Keith Montgomery said:
Todd, my comments were tongue in cheek. The cinder blocks and apple crates were in response to your question about art in our furnishings.
Click to expand...

Oh, yea? If someone showed this thread to Christo, I bet he'd be out there tomorrow creating a piece of "art" with cinder blocks and apple crates - and getting a $300,000 grant to do it! :rolleyes:
 
cockroachfarm said:
Oh, yea? If someone showed this thread to Christo, I bet he'd be out there tomorrow creating a piece of "art" with cinder blocks and apple crates - and getting a $300,000 grant to do it! :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Oops - I may owe installation artists Christo and his wife, Jeanne-Claude, an apology. I just Googled their "Gates" project in Central Park - and it seems the artists themselves picked up the $20-million price tag to stage that event. :eek: Whatever happened to the stereotypical "starving artists"? :confused:
 
To me knives are one of the higest forms of art, creating both a completely utilitarian tool AND making it artistically pleasing....The synthesis of the two is where the art exists for me....
 
TikTock said:
To me knives are one of the higest forms of art, creating both a completely utilitarian tool AND making it artistically pleasing....The synthesis of the two is where the art exists for me....
Click to expand...

Same here. I just tell people that I buy small works of art that happen to be in the shape of knives. :)
 
Having just attended the "Carolina Craftsman Classic" in Greensboro NC I can say there was only one knifemaker represented, just a few crude knives made from files. Clearly there's a lot of distance between the real "artist" craftsman, (the REAL KNIFEMAKERS..) and folks who do it as a side project to make the $.
David
 
If there are any questions whether or not knives can be considered art show them some pics of Don Foggs knives as one example of many.

Sounds like these people are caught up in what most of society deems art such as paintings/drawings and sculptures. It's too bad. Artistic ability can be applied to any "craft" thus creating art in itself. I like to think of handmade knives as functional art especially one of kinders.
Just my 2 cents.

Mike
 
Wholeheartedly agree about knives being Art.Most recent addition to my collection.:thumbup: :D

Doug :)
 
Tell them to look at the next wood carving they see.. or mount Rushmore.
It takes an artistic tool to create art.
Their horsehair paintbrush is a work of " art"
A crowning bit to crown a rifle barrel is a work of " art"
The knife a sushi chef uses is a work of " art" as is the food he creates with it.

Find new, more intelligent, " friends" ;)
 
Seems like a difference in "classification".. I don't consider knives "art". They are knives first.. If you decorate something enough It can be a birthday cake, doesn't mean it will taste like one. Art is for the walls, museums and such.. Knives are tools, and maybe more than just making a statement... like what a lot of art does.
David
 
I doubt these pics will help you prove your point, but I did a couple of illustrations with the theme "Kinives as Art".

6439585.jpg


6439563.jpg


6475233.jpg
 
PhilL,
Amazing illustrations!:thumbup: :eek: Incredible ART!! :cool:

Finally found time to view your knives slideshow,awesome collection,I'm at a loss for words to express what you have.STUNNINGLY BEAUTIFUL comes to mind though.
:D

Doug:)
 
There's my Cooper knife - again! :D

(PilL - have you actually held that knife? If not, I will bring it to Atlanta with me - it is MASSIVE.)
 
Still, the fancy stuff is more "jewelry" than "art". To me, unless the knife is a radical departure from the norm.. something like an unusual fantasy knife or a highly impractical piece, or something that is similar to a "concept car", it doesn't really fit into the term "art". I know a lot of people see it differently...

It doesn't mean anything derrogatory to skill, talent, or ability. Again, just a difference in classification. Is your expensive watch "art"? What's the goal, so it can be considered the same as something hanging in a museum, or in the great cathedrals? I don't get it???
David
 
to me madonna is just a fat ole woman. i ain't much for art but i believe art is in the eyes of the looker so if someone say anything they find beauty in is art then they ain' t wrong. id think it was a little conceited for some one to think they can put bounderies on what is or more important , what ain't art.tell em they just pretentious and limited by there own narrow views.
course u can't make a silk purse outta a sows ear but i got a boar hog that thinks sows ears are art.
david
 
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