Everyday Art: Cool Door Handles

Everyday Art: Cool Door Handles

Imagine a world where even the most ordinary, mundane object is transformed into something extraordinary. These door handles will give you a glimpse at just such a world.

Everyday art is when something that you come into contact with repeatedly in every day is transformed into an art form all of it’s own.  With a little ingenuity and a lot of creativity, the world we live in could become far less boring.  Perhaps these door handles can be seen as a metaphor for what lies beyond the door if we dare to open it.

Image Source

This twisted electric guitar door handle is definitely much more interesting than your standard round knob.  I love how the neck of the guitar is twisted over to form the handle in front of the body of the guitar.

Image Source

Sometimes the door handle is a piece of art all of it’s own like these fantastic boot door handles.  I think the fact that the doors are chained shut is a nice touch.  These are so much more beautiful than just your average straight bar door handle.

Image Source

These torso door handles are reminiscent of the store’s name — Twisted Torsos.  They are gorgeous way to open the door although I’m not sure just where exactly you’d grab!!!

Image Source

This 200 year old handle in Old Salem shows a popular item in door handle sculptures — the hand.  There are dozens of examples of the use of the human hand as a door handle.  This handle makes you stop and think of all of those who have gone before you.  200 years of usage to open a door and now, it’s your turn.

Image Source

These hand door handles are like a reflection of reality.  The sculpted hands grasp the door handle as if to open it as you are about to do.  It’s like looking into a mirror without knowing which side you’re really on.

Image Source

These elegant hands reaching from the door are another great example of hand door knobs reflecting reality.  These are so beautiful and graceful.  I’m not sure whether they are for decoration or use as they seem to be hung awfully high on these doors.

Image Source

This copper door handle shows years of use.  The man’s mustache itself is the door handle while his eyes seem to implore you to enter.

Image Source

Another form that is popular in door handle art is that of animals.  These slithering snake door handles lead to an upscale Japanese clothing store.  Their undulating scales reflect the light while their mouths are open and seemingly about to attack.

Image Source

This door handle is amazing in it’s simplicity.  When viewed from afar, it would appear to be just another boring door handle.  It’s not until it is viewed up close that you discover the beautifully shaped bird’s head, neck and beak.  This handle has a very art deco feel to it.

Image Source

Sometimes, an interesting door handle is of a more modern design that beckons to exactly what is behind those doors.  These hamburger doorhandles at Fuddrucker’s are definitely a major hint as to what comes next.

Image Source

And sometimes the door handle is seeming unconnected to what lies beyond.  At least, I hope it is.  Not all cool door handles lead somewhere extraordinary I guess!

Keep your eyes open for other ways that the ordinary can become extraordinary.  Here’s a look at some of the other examples of everyday art that I’ve written about:

11
Liked it
10 Comments
C Jordan, posted this comment on Nov 7th, 2008

Nice collection.I like the use of hands as handles

Laurie Byrne Smith, posted this comment on Nov 7th, 2008

I’d have a hard time grasping those hands to open a door! but this is a neat collection!

Peter Cimino, posted this comment on Nov 7th, 2008

Very cool! The pictures are awesome and tell it all. Well done.

papaleng, posted this comment on Nov 7th, 2008

Wow, a mixture of unique and regal looking door openers. nice work.

Brian Daniel Stankich, posted this comment on Nov 7th, 2008

Wow, Paula, where do you get these pics?

Joie Schmidt, posted this comment on Nov 7th, 2008

So cool! So fun and unique! Love it!

Blessings.

Sincerely,

-Liane Schmidt.

Will Gray, posted this comment on Nov 10th, 2008

Very cool article. What a collection of photos!

Blue Buttefly, posted this comment on Nov 15th, 2008

I would never imagine a music instrument transformed into a doorhandle. cool stuff!

denus, posted this comment on Jan 19th, 2009

Super impressive!

Sonya Pettit, posted this comment on Feb 2nd, 2011

Where can I find the hand door handles?

Leave a Response