Magical Space-Object Box

Cornell, who had no formal training in art, is most well known for his highly distinctive "boxes". These are simple boxes, constructed by Cornell himself, in which he arranged surprising collections of objects found while scouring the streets and junk stores of New York City. Cornell created poetry from the commonplace; he was fascinated not by refuse, garbage, and the discarded, but by fragments of once beautiful and precious objects. In spite of the fact that he never threw anything away, Cornell's world was very organized and this organization is reflected in his boxes. In many of his pieces, including Magical Space Object-Box, the composition is rigid and each shape is given its own space and discrete placement. The artist strongly believed in mind over matter and harmony over disharmony, clearly evident in the austerity and balance of this piece. One of the most intriguing qualities of the boxes is that they draw viewers in to discover that within these small spaces, entire worlds have been created - worlds full of mystery and spirituality that invite us to contemplate the passage of time, the complex relationship of science and religion, and our uncertainties about life.