During my first semester of Cégep, for our Humanities class, we were tasked with choosing an ordinary object and examining it through both artistic and scientific lenses, then reflecting on which perspective had the greatest impact on us. I chose a doorknob, and I have to say, the experience was even more insightful than I anticipated. Curious to know why? Keep reading to find out! 🙂
What is a Knob?
A knob is a small piece of hardware, usually rounded, that’s used to open and close doors or drawers.
How did I not notice it until now? I never really paid attention. But it’s funny—without this little object, I wouldn’t be able to enter my room and close the door behind me, or open the bathroom cabinet to grab my hairbrush every morning.
The more I think about it, the more ideas start to flood my mind.
It was the summer of 2019 when I was visiting Paris with my father. We took hundreds of pictures, but one memory struck me the moment I chose my subject for this project: a photo of a golden, oval-shaped vintage door knob at the Louvre. Something in the back of my mind suddenly awakened.
Arthur Danto once said that art requires the participation of the audience to fill what is missing. Similarly, R.G. Collingwood believed that art is a collaboration between the artist and the viewer, and that through reflection and expression, we can gain self-knowledge. These two concepts can merge into one.
To illustrate this, let’s return to my photograph and view it from a distinctive perspective. Compared to before, I realized that the charm and a warm atmosphere weren’t brought by me alone, but also by the objects around me. This old, luxurious knob seems to be in perfect harmony with the rest of the elements in the scene. It plays a contextual role, like a piece of art waiting in silence for the audience. If I had been standing just a little to the right, covering this splendid knob, the viewer’s impression would have been less expressive, and there would have been less to reflect upon. If I had paid more attention at the time, noticing the little details, I probably would have fallen in love with this knob and started researching its history—something I’m beginning to do now.
But before diving into that, my imagination drifts back to a small fishing village in northern Europe. There, a young boy hides in the attic each day, playing with the rusty lock of a door. Years later, he’s a grown man, graduating from a Beaux Arts University, and his diploma project—a door knob—captures the world’s attention. I let my imagination create this story to understand what Tolstoy meant when he said, “Art is a human activity consisting in this, that one man consciously, by means of certain external signs, hands on to others feelings he has lived through, and that other people are infected by these feelings, and also experience them.”
Looking around my house, I realized that we have exactly 42 door knobs and 42 cabinet knobs. Funny, right? Twenty-nine of them are golden, and the rest are silver. All the door knobs in my house share the same simple, traditional design. It seems to be a popular model. I even did a technical sketch of it. At their core, knobs are mechanical components. To enter a room, you usually twist and pull the knob, and once inside, you simply push the door to close it. This works because the latch disengages when the knob is turned. You can also lock the knob. The concept of locks has remained largely unchanged since it was invented by Osborn Dorsey in the 19th century. Knobs have generally retained their round shape, but each artist brings something unique to their design. “Everybody has to work on the scenario of evolution. Everybody has the duty to bring anything they can to that,” said Philippe Starck, a legend of modern design, in an interview. And of course, knobs are no exception to this rule. Nowadays, biometric knobs that open doors by recognizing our voice, retina, or fingerprints are just around the corner.
In our own home, we have a knob with a digital and wireless system for the front door, which can be operated remotely via a smartphone app. The system has replaced the key, but the knob remains the same. I’m glad because now that I’ve learned more about this object, I’ve developed a new appreciation for it.
If I had to choose between the artistic and scientific perspectives, it would be difficult. As a future architect, I need to be open not only to the design of the objects I propose to my clients but also to the new technology that emerges. Therefore, I believe that knobs should be treated equally from both artistic and scientific viewpoints. What I’ve discussed here is only the tip of the iceberg. I feel like I’m just beginning, and there’s much more research to be done on this tiny object that initially seemed so unimportant. I’ll certainly pay more attention when choosing the knobs for my future home, treating them with greater respect while considering the artist’s intention behind them. Whether they’re minimalist, futuristic, vintage, or a tribute to a classic style, I’ll remember that these little fixtures often sneak into our family photos, like a bird flying in the background or a plant behind a patio door. Knobs are integral parts of our daily lives.
Door knobs have even left their mark on literature, inspiring expressions like “with brass knobs on” or “knobs on.” In the spiritual realm, a door knob can symbolize a barrier between two worlds, the turning of time, a portal, or a passageway into the unknown.
In essence, what started as a simple examination of a doorknob turned into a journey of discovery—unveiling the intricate blend of art and science that shapes even the most ordinary objects in our lives. From its functional role in our daily routines to its potential as a piece of art, the doorknob reveals the hidden beauty in the everyday. As I move forward in my studies and career, I’ll carry this newfound appreciation with me, always mindful that even the smallest details can hold profound significance. So next time you reach for a doorknob, take a moment to appreciate the artistry and innovation behind it—you might just see it in a whole new light.