The 1960s spurred creativity and experimentation with a new breed of designers who desired vivid colours, sinuous shapes and a love for plastic. The exuberant, high-energy ’60s led to the development and design of many plastic stacking chairs that Danish designer Verner Panton and Italian Joe Colombo, raced to produce for the masses. Here, we […]
21 October 2016
The 1960s spurred creativity and experimentation with a new breed of designers who desired vivid colours, sinuous shapes and a love for plastic. The exuberant, high-energy ’60s led to the development and design of many plastic stacking chairs that Danish designer Verner Panton and Italian Joe Colombo, raced to produce for the masses. Here, we highlight three armchairs that were inspired by that effervescent era. By Joseph Lim
One of the most striking posthumous works of feted French furniture designer Pierre Paulin is the Ribbon armchair he designed for Artifort in 1969. Paulin was inspired by the billowy motion of the ribbon when unreeled from its spool. The end result is a sculptural chair that epitomises the adage “poetry in motion”. The seat, armrest and backrest are made from one piece of well-engineered upholstery supported by a sinuous metal frame that forms the core. Manufactured in the Netherlands by Artifort, this Gallic creation remains a classic in the history of modern furniture design. Available at Xtra.
American architect and interior designer Warren Platner has an affinity for wire furniture. His love for “decorative, gentle and graceful” wire shapes is realised in the Platner chair. It’s made up of hundreds of welded, curved nickel-plated steel rods that form circular frames that simultaneously serve as a structure and ornament. Its graceful shape from the base up supports the person’s back and envelops him when sitting on it. Available at Dream.
If anyone had the fervour and penchant for blurring the lines between art and design then Italian designer and artist Gaetano Pesce would be the perfect contender. Inspired by the voluminous shape of a woman’s bosoms, the UP5 armchair offers that spitting image, although, artistic in form. The round pouf with adjoining cord represents the traditional ball and shackle of a prisoner. While previous versions were made inflatable, the current version offers solid moulded foam. This timeless icon of Italian design is full of ebullience and energy. Available at Space Asia Hub.
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