During this past year art-knives were seen in several places. In the 2002 Exhibition in Print, knives were featured for the first time. At the SNAG/3M-sponsored show "Innovative Tools for Personal Use," knives were again showcased. Is this a sign of the changing times? Can knives really qualify as works of art? The fact that this question has been posed to the SNAG community gives knifemaker John Lewis Jensen hope for his medium, the art-knife. John began making knives during his junior year at Rhode Island School of Design. He was the only student chose to pursue knives as his degree project. In, 1996, he became the first graduate from the Jewelry and Metalsmithing Department with a concentration in art-knives. Upon graduation he decided to immerse himself within the knife community in order to further develop and understand his form. Although John found success within the knife world, he felt dissatisfied as an artist. During the course of several years, he realized that his ideas and ambitions for the art-knife were at odds with that which existed in the knife community. Many individuals within the knife world believe that the knife will always be bound to the negative associations of a weapon. They do not think that the general public can embrace knives. This idea perpetuates a secular society, which prevents the knife from entering into art realms such as galleries and museums. Many individuals have tried to break through the stigma with little success. John found himself faced with the daunting task of self-creating new opportunities.

In early 2002, John saw the call for entries for the SNAG/3M show entitled, "Innovative Tools for Personal Use." He was excited by the title of the show because it implied that knives would qualify since they're commonly defined as a tool. He thought that this could be a possible opportunity to introduce knives into a gallery. He felt a real sense of achievement when he was accepted into the show.

During the submission process he was introduced to Anne Larson Hollerbach. She explained, "The demographics of the SNAG membership have changed dramatically in the past 10 years, away from the original academic orientation and more toward the working metalsmith. We still have a strong academic contingent, but we also have lots of blacksmiths, sculptors, retail jewelers, gallery jewelers, curators, hobbyist and a huge population of students. Interest in knifemaking is growing rapidly as more personal connections are being forged between makers of fine are blades and fine art vessels, jewelry, architectural metals, and so forth." Through Anne's enthusiasm and encouragement John realized that SNAG is a great resource for all metal artists.

During the 2002 SNAG conference John was able to network with other metal artists. Many people within the community had the opportunity to view his work at the SNAG/3M-sponsored show. This helped create a dialogue about the merits of the art-knife platform. Conference presenter Jeff Wise commented, "Art of the past 20 years has been a rejection of technique and aesthetics of the maker, but it has also been very inclusive in regards to medium and material. This might make someone who makes beautifully crafted knives feel like they own a house, but have no key to the front door. It is not for us to judge the art of our age, but only to manifest that which is undeniable within us. Let the historians sort it out. I believe that ultimately we are all drawn to beautifully made, visually and physically tactile objects, regardless of what their subject matter is, be it repulsive and unsettling, or sublime and tranquil. The knife is as valid a platform as any other in which to express yourself. They are loaded with historical and metaphorical content."

Another conference presenter, the Italian goldsmith Giovanni Corvaja, expressed an interest in art-knives. He felt that knives could be considered art, depending upon the spirit and purpose in which they are made. He hopes to see more knives exhibited in art galleries. This brought up the question of whether or not galleries would display knives. Ivan Barnett from the Patina Gallery commented on how knives would be hard to sell. He said, "the object itself is problematic on several levels; basically it's their orientation as weapons. People come to galleries to obtain beauty for the most part. However well made and artistic knives are - it is a matter of who is interested in an artful weapon." This viewpoint represents the wall that currently stands between the knife and the art worlds. It is the wall of public perception. Many other artists have faced this dilemna. Several movements have been created in the attempt to change the modern day notion of what qualifies as collectible art.

Artist/Scholar Bruce Metcalf made a comparison to his own experience, "A friend of mine once said, 'jewelry is a small vehicle.' What she meant was that jewelry is so constrained by limitation of size, function, durability, and social usage that it's not commodious platform for ideas. She assumed, like most people do, that art is primarily about ideas. So while she didn't exclude the possibility that jewelry might be good art, she implied that it's unlikely. And of course, I have been trying to disprove her suggestion ever since. I think knifemaking is very much like jewelry; it's a small vehicle. It is highly constrained by the boundaries of being a knife."

Bruce's commentary reminds us that many artists strive to have their platform acknowledged. It is comforting to remember that we are not alone. Through SNAG, artists have the opportunity to share ideas, exchange information and learn from each other. By doing this we begin the process of creating awareness around all forms of the metal arts. For John, the process of sharing his form and receiving feedback from other metal artists has further fueled his desire to create an art-knife movement.

John also feels that he has much to contribute to the SNAG community. Knifemaking involves many materials, techniques and processes that other metal artists could incorporate into their work. He is open to the idea of lecturing and teaching the different aspects of knifemaking. He encourages people to join his discussion on the art-knife by checking out his website at www.jensenknives.com and e-mailing him at john@jenseknives.com with questions and comments. John would like to thank SNAG for being so encouraging and accepting of his field. He hopes his experience will inspire other knifemakers to join SNAG. Overall, he knows that this will enrich both of our communities.

This article, "Art Knife Awareness," was first published in the April 2003 issue of SNAG News, the newsletter published by the Society of North American Goldsmiths five times a year. It is reprinted here with SNAG's permission. SNAG is an educational nonprofit organization for jewelers, designers and metalsmiths, working with any metals and on any scale. For information about joining SNAG, visit our website at www.snagmetalsmith.org, or call (630) 852-METL [6385].