a body of skin by studio 9191 features chairs that mimic human flesh

a body of skin by studio 9191 features chairs that mimic human flesh
all images courtesy of studio 9191

‘a body of skin’ by studio 9191 is a furniture collection that explores the intricate subtleties and varieties of the skin surface and the volumes of the flesh. applied to the designs of chairs and stools, the shapes speak to an owner but observers cannot distinguish the body parts or name the elements. in order to sit on the chair, physical contact must be made and in so doing a connection is formed. this connection questions the relationship and level of comfort we have in our own bodies and with those of other beings. silicone is used as the base material in both pieces, as its visceral quality is instantly evocative of skin. ‘to fully submerge the user in the experience, I impregnated the silicon with a smell to further push the boundaries of its relationship to the user. I selected my model’s preferred aftershave in order to permeate it with pheromones so that I might be able to further prompt a response,’ gigi barker of studio 9191 said. this idea is accompanied by leather applied through classic upholstery techniques such pattern cutting, buttoning, and moulding that provide a potential familiarity and thus more subtle visual impact. however, it is literally a piece of skin, removed from a body, and a direct translation rather than a representation of the material.

three stools of different ‘skins’ create a sitting area

‘skin chair’ and ‘skin stool’ (leather version) 

back of the chair

a baby resting on the ‘skin stool’

a client occupying a skin chair

the making of the ‘skin stool’ in the studio

mood board for the project

concept sketches from the design process

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.