Candlestick

Edition: 1/6 – crystal

Originally designed in 1983, the object is one of Knížák’s variations of so-called “multi-vases” – utilitarian forms conceived with multiple potential uses. As with most of his functional objects, it is not meant to be self-serving or purely decorative. The artist’s aim is not to astonish with aesthetics or invent new functions, but rather to explore new layers of meaning that challenge our fixed mental images of everyday objects. Candlestick draws inspiration from Czech Cubism, which strongly influenced Knížák’s work during the 1970s. At that time, he designed a furniture collection titled COCUB (contemporary cubism), featuring visually striking objects with sharp lines and often aggressively bold forms. Between 1971 and 1989, the political regime in Czechoslovakia prevented Knížák from participating in the official art market. Lacking access to glass workshops and factories, he instead produced a wealth of sketches, designs, and drawings in the fields of design, architecture, and fashion – testament to the boundless nature of his imagination.