Artist-designed chairs juxtaposed with paintings, courtesy of The Endowed Chair, an exhibition at The Bunker Artsace collection of Beth Rudin De Woody, curated by Laura Dvorkin and Maynard Monrow. The title of the show is taken from the esteemed philosopher and art critic Arthur C. Danto.
Ode to Joy
Written by Maynard Monrow
Chairs come in a myriad of marvelous interpretations, designed by architects, designers, and artists.
They are fabricated in all manner of materials, from metal, to wood, to leather, to a bevy of fabric brilliance.
They range in style, whether stoic, solitary and utilitarian, or completely bombastic whimsical wonder.
These seats of human potential.
Once, cradling. Next, indifferent to one’s needs.
Comfortable and uncomfortable—such sculptural, functional objects.
They are designed for commonplace sitting and, equally, the art of perching.
They dwell in the home, and what we once called the office.
Most are designed on four legs, though not all.
Some with arms, some without.
Chairs are also quite democratic.
It would be rather sad not to own a chair.
Even if we would rather stand.
“Next Bar,” 2019, by Kristen Everberg is flanked by early “Bowl” chair (1951), by Lina Bo Bardi to the left, and “Dinner for One” (1967), by Kate Millett to the right.
“Chair – San Cristobal De Las Casas – Chiapas, Mexico,” by Laura Schwartz hangs above “Chaise Pour Un Clouchard (133%)” (2013), by Peter Harkawik.
“Nodosaurus” (2016), by Urs Fischer
“Sharing The Struggle,” 2018, by Lonnie Holley, with “Sunday Social” (2015), by Mark Posey.
“Frits Hennigsen Chair #1” (2012), by Cheryl Ekstrom, with “Untitled (Light And Space #2),” by Jean Lowe.
“Trophy Gehry Chair” (2011), by Carlos Rolon (Dzine), with “Hotel-Lounge from the Hotel Vue Des Alpes” (2001), by Monica Studer and Christoph Van Den Berg.
“Radiant Chair” (1989), by Michele Oka Doner, with “Siamese VII” (2021), by Kyung-Me, “Interior” (2017), by Rob Davis, “TV Rock” (2017), by Ellen Harvey, and “Papillon De Nuit I” (2019), by Kyung-Me.
“Armchair” (1984), by Donald Judd, with “Worm Couch” (2019), by Iva Kinnaird.
“Stools” (2017), by Mike & Doug Starn, with “Contenders” (2023), by Celeste Rapone.
“Senseless” (2021), by Mitchell Charbonneau, with “Chair Puff” (2019), by Brian Belott.
“Wide Base Lounge” (2021), by Tschabalala Self.