Lubricator 1860

This is an industrial object called ‘Lubricator’ by Rijkswerf Amsterdam. It displays a compelling study in form and materiality. The structure itself, with its brass ovoid container atop a wooden base, presents a contrast between the smooth, reflective curves and the solid, matte rectangle. The piece appears to question conventional notions of artistic creation through its industrial origins. Its form, driven by function, echoes the modernist ethos where design follows purpose. We can consider this object through the lens of structuralism, recognizing how it operates within a system of signs and functions in a network of industrial production. The 'Lubricator' prompts reflection on how objects of utility can transcend their original function to become artifacts worthy of aesthetic consideration. It asks us to reconsider the arbitrary divide between art and industrial design. The object's appeal lies not just in its practical use, but also in its capacity to elicit contemplation on the nature of production, form, and the values we ascribe to objects.