Boxed In

The other day as I was helping my parents move furniture out of one of our rooms in the house to have new carpet put in, I came across a revelation about something... or at least just became truly aware of it.

My mother has a collection of boxes that were pasted down to her from her grandfather and will one day be pasted down to me. Now you're probably thinking why would anyone collect boxes?

Well they aren't cardboard boxes... if that enlightens anyone. They are actually a collection of boxes from all over the world... each having it's own story behind it being collect and how it was made. Some are handmade, some are not your usual box shape, some are even trap door boxes. They've been brought into place over life times of adventure and history with immense amounts of culture... but that aside, I think they all are really cool, especially after I came to my realization.

As we were moving all these boxes, (also note they are all small, almost all are no bigger than a person's hand), I was looking and thinking about why box making could be a trade anyone would wish to pursue. Some people really make art out of such a simple idea and everyday item.

My realization...well, I'll try and help you realize it with me... I'll give you a push.

Think of all the things you use a box for in everyday life. (Remember, a box is not always a square or rectangle)

I'll list off some practical uses of a box....

Packing Things, Giving Gifts, Storing Items, Organization, Presentation.

What do I mean by Presentation? Think about any holiday or birthday... the bigger, more elaborate the box, the better it seems. A humidor can be more fancy... it doesn't make it work any better than a cheaper/plain humidor... the cigars still won't dry out...but people still like the decorated ones. Even a house is technically a box... a much more complex box with many different compartments.. but people like to present their houses, and even Trophy cases!

Then I started thinking more and more about the importance of boxes in our society.

We use boxes to entertain ourselves (Television/Computer/Video Game Consoles)

We use boxes to get from point a to point b (Cars/Buses/Trains)

We use boxes to store our most valuable possessions (Treasure Chests/Jewelry Boxes)

We bury our dead in boxes (Coffins/Tombs/Urns)

Boxes are in legend and mythology that hold great power (Pandora's Box)

We use boxes to store memories (Time Capsules/Even a showboxe under someone's bed!)

And as I said before...just the overall use of storage. (Moving Boxes/Boxes of Fruit/Cabinets/Cardboard/Glad Containers, etc.)

It's just weird to think the immense importance of a box.

You think life would be tough without a cell phone or laptop? Think about life without boxes for one moment.... hmmm.

I know this isn't the most insightful thing.... but I thought the concept and idea of it was really cool.