Knife rest c. 1902

This small, anonymous knife rest, currently held at the Art Institute of Chicago, is made of clear crystal. It's this totally functional object, but elevated, as if to say, even a knife deserves a throne. I like the way the light catches and refracts in the crystal. It transforms something mundane into a gem-like object, making us question the value we place on different things. Think of those cuts and facets - they create a dazzling, shifting surface, a bit like a disco ball for your dinner table. Each angle throws light in a slightly different direction, playing with our perception. It kind of reminds me of some of Jeff Koons' shiny, kitschy sculptures, but on a more intimate scale. Both artists share a fascination with elevating the everyday, but while Koons goes big and brash, this knife rest whispers its message with light and delicacy. It's all about seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary.