Designed for the papal New York City visit, the Pope's chair was met with some different reactions and opinions. Plain and non-imposing, some view its simplicity as an insult, while others believe the chair is supposed to represent Pope Francis' commitment to humility and his rejection of material possessions.
The tall plywood chair features simple linear designs with a light-colored plywood and a darker mahogany trim. The cushioned seat and back was made with a crisp white material -- a color appropriate for a holy figure.
Designer Jim Lenahan wanted to make the often elaborate "throne" unassuming and have it support the same thoughts and sentiments the Pope would speak of at his New York City mass.
Simple Papal Thrones
The Pope's Chair for His NYC Mass is Unassumingly Plain with a Plywood Frame
Trend Themes
1. Simple Chair Designs - Designers are embracing simplicity in chair designs, creating opportunities for disruptive innovation in the furniture industry.
2. Humility in Design - More designers are exploring humility and simplicity in their designs, creating opportunities for disruptive innovation in various industries.
3. Minimalism - The trend towards minimalism is on the rise, creating opportunities for disruptive innovation in the design and architecture industries.
Industry Implications
1. Furniture - The furniture industry can benefit from disruptive innovation by embracing simplicity and offering more streamlined designs.
2. Fashion - More designers in the fashion industry are exploring minimalistic designs that reject materialism, creating opportunities for disruptive innovation.
3. Religious Artifacts - The trend towards humble and simple religious artifacts, as seen in Pope Francis' chair, creates opportunities for disruptive innovation in the religious artifacts industry.