Some people collect spoons or motorcycles or parking tickets. I collect boxes. A therapist once told me this behavior reflects a hopeless desire to force the chaos of life into neat and orderly symmetry. Or something like that. I promptly fired the therapist. My own theory about why I collect boxes is… Actually, I have no damn clue why I collect boxes. Boxes are just cool. Let me show you a few. I don’t own them. But I covet them. Maybe after taking a gander, you’ll appreciate my obsession.
From Hearst The Collector
William Randolph Hearst collected many more medieval tapestries and standing coats of arm than boxes, but the one box he did pick up is a doozie. It’s part of the Hearst The Collector exhibit at LACMA through February 1, 2009. The exhibit as a whole is interesting but not spectacular, worth a walk through if you are already at the museum but too small to warrant a specific trip. However, this precious little box, referred to as a casket by the curators of the world, is utterly to die for. Made in the 1530’s, it is covered in mother-of-pearl, framed with vermeil, and – my favorite part – topped off by four giant emeralds once owned by King Francis I, who ushered in France’s Renaissance. Not exactly a cheap trinket. Yet, it’s the perfect size in which to store all my various remote controls, don’t you think? A girl can dream.
Available at oeconline.org
While Hearst’s box is splendidly ostentatious, this stainless steel lunch box is divinely simple. It was designed by a bunch of Oregonian PTA and garden club members, wouldn’t you know, as an eco-healthy alternative to all those Sponge Bob-esque options at the local Wal-Mart. It comes with reusable, biodegradable utensils and sandwich wrap. So basically, this gem of a box lets parents show off how concerned they are about the planet their children will inherit. Who cares about the sugar-loaded crap those kids, right? The very best part of this lunch box, however, is the collection of environmentally friendly stickers included. What kid doesn’t love stickers? My entire mirror was covered with them when I was young and, while I realize that revelation might indicate pubescent self-esteem issues, my point is that I certainly loved stickers. They were a way to be creative. They were fun. They were cute. And this lunch box is an empty canvas for a trip down memory lane, a chance to be a kid again, just for a moment.
Designed by Jo Meesters
Surprisingly, I actually enjoy being an adult, most of the time. The toys that adults get to play with are much more fun than those made for kids, after all – except etch-a-sketch, which is still pretty awesome. I tend to categorize really cool furniture, clothes, and jewelry in with the more stereotypical adult toys like cars and dildos. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that I consider Dutch designer Jo Meester’s light box a very kick-ass toy indeed. Constructed of sustainable wood and resin, it has 8000 holes punched into it to bring nature into your home. Grab a couple of these, line them up end-to-end, and voila – the perfect room divider in that downtown loft I fantasize about owning with Christian Bale’s Patrick Bateman, sans the chain saw of course.
By popartworks.com
Okay, perhaps I do have some issues after all. Or maybe I just need to go look for another box. In the meantime, tell me, what do you obsess over and collect?
justjp
/ January 14, 2009Wow! Boxes and dildos in one post? Strong work!
justjp’s last blog post..I am way too lazy
Leigh
/ January 14, 2009Love the Meesters box! If I have too many of anything it would be chairs. I don’t know why (never asked a therapist) but I think they’re amazing. Do all of your boxes have something in them? You know what therapists say about empty boxes.
Leigh’s last blog post..recycling 101
catherine
/ January 14, 2009I guess I kind of collect boxes too. Shoe boxes. My obsession is shoes.
emmajames
/ January 15, 2009JP: Yeah, I impress even myself sometimes.
Leigh: Chairs, huh? Interesting. I never noticed… That will change… And yep, I have something in every box I own.
Catherine: Oh, don’t you worry, I too am obsessed with shoes. DSW and I have a long-standing, tamper-proof love affair going on. Say nothing.
lemmonex
/ January 15, 2009The pattern on the third box is stunning.
lemmonex’s last blog post..On Nature
egan
/ January 15, 2009Yep, the third box is my favorite too. It does look like a Lite Brite, very keen observation.
Did you really fire the therapist for their analysis? I think I want the lunchbox. I even followed the link to the Oregon site, but couldn’t find it. I will poke around some more.
egan’s last blog post..You Nearly Sunk My Battleship
emmajames
/ January 15, 2009Lem: I completely agree. It’s even more stunning when three or four of them are lined up end to end, like a low-lying forest.
Egan: I debated about linking directly to the lunch box page, but thought the whole site was cool, even though I don’t even live in Oregon. Anyway, to find the lunch boxes on the site, do one of the following:
a) Put “lunch box” into the search bar. Then click on the first referred article.
OR
b) Click on “Our Work” for a drop down menu, from which you can click on “Healthier Lives.” Then go to sidebar under “Healthier Lives” and click on “Healthy Schools” and then “The Perfect Eco-Friendly Gift.”
Someday non-profit websites will be as well-designed and intuitive as those of evil corporations, just not today.
LiLu
/ January 15, 2009Have you seen the 30 Rock cookie jar-collecting episode?? It’s one of my faves!
LiLu’s last blog post..TMI Thursday: Hand Stuff? Mouth Stuff? Are You in Junior High??
egan
/ January 16, 2009Great, I found the information on there. The price is a bit high, but I suppose you can’t put a price on kids health and saving the environment. Yep, the price is $33. Still pretty damn cool. Thanks for the help finding the cool item.
emmajames
/ January 17, 2009LiLu: I have NOT seen that episode – which season is it? I must check it out! Thanks for the info.
Egan: Yep, $33 is steep, but think of the long-term costs of going the brown bag route. I spend that on a week’s worth of coffees (sad, I know). Not that I’m encouraging you to buy it AT ALL. I’m just saying that the cost of anything and everything is so completely relative and subjective. Glad you enjoyed the find.
Mr. I
/ January 29, 2009I like collecting funny photographs of my friends! Collection is not much big but its enough to give an hour or two laugh.
Mr. I’s last blog post..3 Reasons to Avoid a Random Blog
emmajames
/ January 30, 2009Mr. I: Welcome to Pleasure Notes! I’m happy for your thoughts.