Hand Tools As Art?
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Hand tools are not art they are tools designed for a specific function to meet a required need. A 20 ounce framing hammer is designed to drive 16d nails into big 2 x stock. A spring clamp is designed to apply clamping pressure to hold pieces of wood in a certain way so that you can permanently fasten them. Tools aren’t art. Are they?
Well don’t tell John Hechinger Sr. relatives that. When is company moved is corporate headquarters thirty years ago to a modern, sterile office complex he started to collect and decorate the office space with art that incorporated hand tools.
The collection is from a group of artists. Some of the art exhibits are social commentaries where other transformations are straight forward. The collection is more like a time capsule. In that it is marking the passing of the manual labor period of time.
This is definitely an exhibit that a grandfather would enjoy taking is grandson or granddaughter. I plan on sharing my love of wood working with all of my children. They are a little too young right now. Image for a moment that your standing there with your grandchild and are able to point out tools that you have used and how used them to craft various items, perhaps a bed or clock for a relative or friend.
If your going to be in the San Francisco area check out the “Tools As Art: The Hechinger Collection” at the San Francisco Museum of Craft and Design. Post a comment to let everyone know what you thought of it. If you have seen the collection, post a comment and share your thoughts on the collection.
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