Houten doosje bij munt 400 jaar Nederland-Manhattan 2009

This wooden box was made by Koninklijke Nederlandse Munt NV for the 400 year anniversary of Nederland-Manhattan. The simple design really speaks to me, it's like a minimalist sculpture but with a purpose. I love the texture of the wood, you can see the grain and feel the history, it’s so tactile. The light color of the wood is warm and inviting, and the way the text and emblem are printed on the surface is so precise. I’m really drawn to how the emblem is a kind of symbolic figure, simple but dynamic. It reminds me of Joan Miro’s playful approach to form, but with this added layer of cultural significance. It's amazing how such a simple object can carry so much meaning and history. Thinking about craft makes me think of other artists who work with everyday materials, people like Martin Puryear, whose sculptures have that same kind of understated elegance and thoughtfulness.