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The Joseph Cornell Box: Found Objects, Magical Worlds
Working with found objects, pages from old books, and dime-store trinkets, self-taught artist Joseph Cornell (1903–1972) transformed everyday materials into extraordinary universes. By collecting and carefully juxtaposing his treasures in small, glass-front boxes, this pioneering artist invented visual poems exploring themes as varied as the night sky, the romantic ballet, glamorous movie stars, and bird habitats.
A lavishly illustrated and collaged book presents Cornell’s life and art, his sources of inspiration, and artistic process, along with six project ideas. Housed in a sturdy keepsake box with a see-through front window and removable grid, the package also includes materials to jump-start the creative process—printed sheets for collage, a metal ring, antique tags, and a magnifier.
A lavishly illustrated and collaged book presents Cornell’s life and art, his sources of inspiration, and artistic process, along with six project ideas. Housed in a sturdy keepsake box with a see-through front window and removable grid, the package also includes materials to jump-start the creative process—printed sheets for collage, a metal ring, antique tags, and a magnifier.
- GenresArtNonfiction
80 pages, Paperback
First published October 28, 2006
47 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 15, 2011
This was quite a quick read as it's a small non-fiction book aimed at children, I think, so it's possibly cheating at add it to my 'read' list here. except my 'read' list isn't just a numbers game, & it's worth discussing & reviewing, I think.
It's a book in a box that's made up to look like one of Joseph Cornell's boxes, essentially. The book has a short biography of Cornell – suitable for children, and not particularly deep – then encourages readers to attempt their own collages and boxes, giving ideas for themes and methods of composition, as well as suggesting the kinds of objects that could be used. It serves as a great introduction to Cornell – and unlike some stuff I've read about him before, it doesn't patronise him. It shows him as competent, deep & very engaged in the arts that surrounded him - it doesn't fetishise some idea of "outsider art", doesn't go on and on about how he rarely left New York. This is encouraging, & good for those who read this & use it to form their ideas about art both as an appreciator & as somebody who might want to actually do it. The projects it lists for readers to try out are, unavoidably, derivative, but that doesn't really matter – & a lot of the book is about imagination/evocation, about methods of thought more than methods of imitation.
I really, really liked it. It's deeper & more well considered than a lot of the twee books for children/adults that fill this same general field - like 'Destroy this book' or what have you. It serves as a good introduction to a great artist with a lot of beautiful photographs & astute writing about his art & method, & it tells us to go away and collect things ourselves. Beautiful.
It's a book in a box that's made up to look like one of Joseph Cornell's boxes, essentially. The book has a short biography of Cornell – suitable for children, and not particularly deep – then encourages readers to attempt their own collages and boxes, giving ideas for themes and methods of composition, as well as suggesting the kinds of objects that could be used. It serves as a great introduction to Cornell – and unlike some stuff I've read about him before, it doesn't patronise him. It shows him as competent, deep & very engaged in the arts that surrounded him - it doesn't fetishise some idea of "outsider art", doesn't go on and on about how he rarely left New York. This is encouraging, & good for those who read this & use it to form their ideas about art both as an appreciator & as somebody who might want to actually do it. The projects it lists for readers to try out are, unavoidably, derivative, but that doesn't really matter – & a lot of the book is about imagination/evocation, about methods of thought more than methods of imitation.
I really, really liked it. It's deeper & more well considered than a lot of the twee books for children/adults that fill this same general field - like 'Destroy this book' or what have you. It serves as a good introduction to a great artist with a lot of beautiful photographs & astute writing about his art & method, & it tells us to go away and collect things ourselves. Beautiful.
January 17, 2019
The Joseph Cornell Box is a book not from any writer(s) about an artist, no this is about a creator. A creator full of many ideas and dreams. Now you probably might be wondering what is so special about this book, or even asking who is Joseph Cornell. Let me be honest, I had no idea who he was until I was recommended this book. I’ll admit I was spectacle about the book. Not because of the author(s) or who it was about, Cornell himself. No, I was never a fan of biographies or any stories about anyone because they never really interested me. I’ve always been the type to read fantasy or dystopian.
Reading this very special book has changed me in many aspects, view wise. You don’t just learn about his life and who he was, but you learn how he was a creator, how he became such an inspiration. Now why was he such an inspiration to people all over the world? He created these boxes, but not just any boxes, they were works of art. He made many boxes for people around the world so they could have their own creation and enjoy it for themselves. He had a big portion of his life dedicated to making boxes, some might even not really pay attention to them if they were to casually see them or forced to look at the boxes he had made. I feel like his creations are worth more than just a glance and a thought. They deserved to be looked at and have people wonder what he’s trying to tell. It’s like a puzzle.
He has collected many objects and random knick knacks to dedicate to his hobby. With each object/knick knacks, they have a meaning that brings the uniqueness and creativity out in each project. With the book, it comes with your own box and objects to make it your own!
Throughout the book it features all types of boxes he had made throughout the years of his life and the ones that feature in museums. My personal favorite is the Butterfly Habitat shown in the very back of the book (where it shows all types of his work). The reason I favor that one is because of the way it shows nature and the beauty of it. Although the best part in my opinion is the glitter that looks like snow.
I’d recommend this to anyone (especially people who love art), that loves to think outside the box type art, or in this case, think inside the box. You can really create your own small story or world all with a box and some objects/knick knacks, while getting and informative book about the history of this unique style.
Reading this very special book has changed me in many aspects, view wise. You don’t just learn about his life and who he was, but you learn how he was a creator, how he became such an inspiration. Now why was he such an inspiration to people all over the world? He created these boxes, but not just any boxes, they were works of art. He made many boxes for people around the world so they could have their own creation and enjoy it for themselves. He had a big portion of his life dedicated to making boxes, some might even not really pay attention to them if they were to casually see them or forced to look at the boxes he had made. I feel like his creations are worth more than just a glance and a thought. They deserved to be looked at and have people wonder what he’s trying to tell. It’s like a puzzle.
He has collected many objects and random knick knacks to dedicate to his hobby. With each object/knick knacks, they have a meaning that brings the uniqueness and creativity out in each project. With the book, it comes with your own box and objects to make it your own!
Throughout the book it features all types of boxes he had made throughout the years of his life and the ones that feature in museums. My personal favorite is the Butterfly Habitat shown in the very back of the book (where it shows all types of his work). The reason I favor that one is because of the way it shows nature and the beauty of it. Although the best part in my opinion is the glitter that looks like snow.
I’d recommend this to anyone (especially people who love art), that loves to think outside the box type art, or in this case, think inside the box. You can really create your own small story or world all with a box and some objects/knick knacks, while getting and informative book about the history of this unique style.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2008
If you love this artist of bits and pieces as much as I do, you will enjoy learning about his eccentric mannerisms and life. He was a very solitary creature and also one of strict habit and organization.
January 27, 2013
Targeted more toward high school age folks, it's till a great intro to Cornell and his work and how to do similar work yourself. A gateway drug to the pile of Cornell books that I have on my desk now.
May 18, 2014
A small biography of Joseph Cornell as well as a guide to making a few boxes of one's own.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews