Do I really want to lean back on a leather apple stem while trying to relax? Do I want to sit on faux cactus spines, repurposed chain link fence or tennis balls? Would I even attempt to vacuum dust out of these giant loops of yarn?
I'd love to hear your thoughts about designs like these and whether you would categorize them as "serious" furniture or merely novelty items.
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| MagriTTa seat by Roberto Sebastian Echaurren Matta liveauctioneers.com |
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| Prickly Pair chairs by Valentina Gonzalez Wohlers esquire.co.uk |
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| Octopus chair by a Dutch design student, produced by the Italian company Casmania makmis.com |
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| Cafe America chair by Grain Design dcdesigncoop.com |
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| Tennis Ball Chair by Hugh Hayden inhabitat.com |
I agree with you. I wouldn't spend money on these sorts of pieces and then use them as furniture. They're more 'statements' aren't they? I'm a tad too practical to have a cactus chair or an apple seat.
ReplyDeleteI suppose I could see the tennis ball chair in a kid's room, but I can't imagine "cute" being a statement I'd want to make in any other room.
DeleteI kind of like the octopus chair as a sculptural piece, but none are very practical are they? The chain link fence chair just looks so uninviting.
ReplyDeleteThe octopus chair actually looks like it might be comfortable, but I keep thinking about how much dust would accumulate in those loops and how impossible it would be to clean.
DeleteWow! None of these look sit-able. But maybe as art? I just don't have a house big enough to have art-chairs. They all need to be bum-appropriate.
ReplyDeleteYou're right...Call me old-fashioned, but it seems as if sit-ability should be a criterion for a chair. And most of these don't meet it.
DeleteGets people talking...shock value...maybe for a grade? But sitting? Nooooooo...
ReplyDeleteIn all fairness, some of these were in design contests for repurposing materials. But I'd think the judges would expect the new use to be practical. A chain link chair???
DeleteWow, funny. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder huh? I suppose these are just for art. That apple looks painful!
ReplyDeleteYeah, can you imagine trying to concentrate on party conversation with that stem stabbing you in the back?
DeleteOk, now take the tennis balls and stick them in the chain link of the Cafe America chair (brilliant design / name as a statement about gentrification as far as I'm concerned!) and you suddenly have what I think might be a cool and comfy chair!
ReplyDeleteOr the owner could spell out the social message du jour in the chain link with styrofoam cups like you see on school fences.
DeleteYeah...
ReplyDeletenot my cup of tea. It'd make an interesting conversation piece (though not in my place), but I just don't get it.
To be fair though, the art institutions/critics/professors do encourage this type of thing. I remember back in architecture school that there was a strong correlation between how bizarre and unconventional your idea was and your scores.
ReplyDeleteI understand that students need to be encouraged to think outside the box, but I can't imagine a professor rewarding and idea that's more sensational than smart.
DeleteWell if I had to choose I would take the Octopus chair!
ReplyDelete*HAHA*
That apple one is rather ridiculous... I doesn't even look "Sittable" It looks like a childrens toy.
I agree that they don't look like anything that would appeal to adults.
DeleteHow insane. And ugly. All of them.
ReplyDeleteI would give the tennis ball chair a try but hell, I would NOT sit on that apple!
I'd think a person would have to be a tad masochistic to sit on the apple or the chain link chair. The octopus and the tennis ball chair look like something for a dorm room, and I can't imagine any use whatsoever for the cactus.
DeleteThey don't make me swoon or want to take tea, so not on the to buy list! And Art is a big word but not that big:)
ReplyDeleteI agree that not everything fits under the "art" umbrella. To me, those aren't "art" in the same way that the poker playing dogs aren't "art."
DeleteThe Octopus one looks ridiculous - like the otcopus has hemorrhaged all over the floor! I'm with you Dana, not very practical or pretty.
ReplyDelete