The Unusual Chair Is a Surprisingly Stable Symbol of Post-Fukushima Japan
Amelia Roblin — November 8, 2013 — Art & Design
References: h220430.jp & yankodesign
In general terms, a chair is simply a chair, and seldom attempts to be anything other than a seating object. In the case of the Unusual Chair by h220430, we have a piece of furniture that's intended to function as a symbol of the current state of a country.
The designers began by creating a version of the archetypal chair, complete with a flat seat, a backrest and four supports beneath it. The frame has been manufactured of tubular steel for a nice slender profile, giving it a delicate appearance, despite the strength of the material.
Most notably, you'll see that one of the rear legs of the Unusual Chair by h220430 has been severed just below the wooden panel perch. The structure is sturdy enough to support the weight of a sitter, but it's symbolic of the physical and psychological damage done in Japan by the Fukushima nuclear disaster, as well as the potential for a great future.
The designers began by creating a version of the archetypal chair, complete with a flat seat, a backrest and four supports beneath it. The frame has been manufactured of tubular steel for a nice slender profile, giving it a delicate appearance, despite the strength of the material.
Most notably, you'll see that one of the rear legs of the Unusual Chair by h220430 has been severed just below the wooden panel perch. The structure is sturdy enough to support the weight of a sitter, but it's symbolic of the physical and psychological damage done in Japan by the Fukushima nuclear disaster, as well as the potential for a great future.
Trend Themes
1. Symbolic Furniture Design - Designing furniture to convey symbolic messages and represent the state of a country or an event.
2. Delicate Strength - Creating furniture with delicate appearances using strong materials.
3. Disruption Through Design - Using design to challenge traditional notions of furniture and create unique, thought-provoking pieces.
Industry Implications
1. Furniture Industry - Opportunities for designers to create furniture that goes beyond functionality and conveys deeper meanings.
2. Art and Design Industry - Exploring the fusion of art and design to create visually compelling and conceptually rich furniture pieces.
3. Interior Design Industry - Integrating unique and symbolic furniture pieces into interior design projects to create visually striking spaces.
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