phul patti by mann singh from india

This design was the culmination of a series of work I have produced which can be described as botanical realism where my aim was to produce highly decorative work where the decoration was the functional element of the design. A chair is the most functional object in our homes and this function finally boils down to the seat and back. In this chair these are also the most decorative parts. So the conversation is about expression, engineering, craft, material but mostly about the endless discussions around form and function. There is also a conversation revolving around perception and reality which is especially relevant in an age where hyper real computer models pass for design which is only ever seen in magazines and on the web. The first sight of this chair invariably elicits the question of whether it can be sat on. The answer is "yes, very much so"
The techniques chosen to make this chair i.e. sand casting metal are almost prehistorical and can be traced back to the indus valley civilisation. On the other hand stainless steel is a relatively new material. Together they are used for their specific characteristics of strength, rust resistance, production ease and volumes produced. All based on sound logic.