It’s Even Become an Objet d’Art
The legendary Swiss knife from the firm of Victorinox in Ibach-Schwyz has not only saved lives, dealt with emergencies and been carried in the trouser pockets of adventurers but has actually become an «objet d’art». The design itself is evidently capable of distinguishing itself: world-class, irrepressible and able to span the generations.
In the words of J. Stewart Johnson, Curator for Design at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, in his letter to the manufacturers in Ibach: «I am pleased to inform you that at our meeting of 28 November 1977 our Architecture and Design Department has decided to include your Swiss Army Officer’s Knife in our collection.»
Allowed for Advertising Purposes
The letter from the Museum continues: «If you would like to mention in your documentation that your knife has been included in our Architecture and Design Department, please use the following text: “included in the Design Collection at the Museum of Modern Art, New York”. It is the policy of our museum that this kind of information may not be used as advertising text. In plain language the name of the museum must not be mentioned in connection with advertising but simply in order to illustrate a fact. You will no doubt appreciate our position in this respect.» It is logical in itself that the inclusion of the Swiss Army Knife in the museum catalogue is good enough advertising.
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