When designing cutlery, contemporary artists confront the tension that lies between functionality and personal expression in their work. Forks, spoons, and knives possess inherent utility, but they can be created with artistic vision as the principle guiding force, even when it overrides practicality. Spoons are made from seashells, forks with cascading sterling silver ribbon handles, and minimalist knives with maximalist negative space. These five designers take flatware to the extreme, creating objects almost too beautiful to use.
“I taught myself jewelry design 10 years ago with a crème brûlée torch and some silver. But as much as I love jewelry, I think it’s kind of limiting if you have a love for design. I started seeing Josef Hoffmann’s work, specifically his Seven Ball Chair, and was excited by the empty spaces between material and its structural symmetry.” —Jessi Burch, New York
“My inspiration pulls from natural shapes; sometimes the exact material I am using defines the work’s final shape. The idea is not for the set to be functional at all—sometimes function cages you in terms of process. Ultimately, can you eat with them? Of course, I’ve used them; they’re not so comfortable, but they are fun. Utilitarian objects usually adapt to you, but in this case it’s you that needs to adapt to the tool.”—Sebastião Lobo, Lisbon
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