“Pieces like these are commissioned by individuals. They have their own reasons. They probably have a knowledge of art and design. They definitely require an unusually high level of craftsmanship. They only need one. These pieces are fine, permanent and made to be examined very closely. It’s hard for commercial outfits to do projects like this and make the kinds of margins they have to make to keep their doors open.

Objects such as these fill no immediate need, except perhaps to delight the people who dreamed them up. Naturally, human needs cannot be examined and understood in the way that thermodynamics is. The need to create stuff might be akin to our need for music. I think of the three pieces above as arias in a larger production that is still being composed by the client. These three pieces are for one client and he’s not done yet. I think he’s doing it to satisfy himself. Perhaps one day, there’ll be an audience leaning forward in their seats. All I know is they’re fun to make. So once more, I return to the orchestra pit and prepare to conduct the next one.”