What do art and radiators have in common?

Art is not easily defined but we know it when we see it.  Right?

On a recent tour at the Metropolitan Museum, the docent told us that American artist Jasper Johns famously said: 

"A painting should be looked at the same way we look at a radiator."  

That statement is open to interpretation.  Whatever the artist meant, it has occurred to us that you might turn the statement on its head:

"A radiator should be looked at the same way we look at a painting."

Does that make sense?  A radiator is utilitarian and not pleasing to the eye.  Not something artistic.

Well, this past Summer, we learned something about radiators. While on vacation, we rented an airbnb apartment for a week.  The apartment was beautifully decorated.  We noticed one piece of art next to the entrance--an abstract metal sculpture.

After a couple of days, we looked more closely and realized the sculpture was a radiator.  Who knew a radiator could be so artistic?

A recent Google search revealed other works of art.  One radiator doubles as a chair or table.

Who knew?