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ShareA chair is not just something to sit on, it is a style statement finds Ramya Sarma
Today the chair is ubiquitous, its design based not just on ergonomics and function, but aesthetics. This is seen at The Art & Design Show. Some designers participating are Alex Davis (Indi Store, Delhi), Krsna Mehta (for Godrej Interiors), Mukul Goyal (Designwise India Pvt Ltd) and Gunjan Gupta (Delhi).
According to Davis, it is "the ultimate test of design to create a chair". And because it has to be functional as well as aesthetic, "you cannot goof up". What makes the task more difficult is that "The whole world has been designing chairs." His Big Chair has a classic design, but "the material is the surprise: stainless steel". It is part of a collection called My Lazy Garden that fits with a limited edition art installation, My Lazy Forest, where steel trees -- "the mango tree is inspired by miniature paintings" -- are ideal to lounge under. In these metal creations, Davis has chosen to "explore more of the expressive side of design than function."
Mehta's work is basic, since a chair "should be a good design sensibility, but function and utility is most important". His idea was to add excitement to a home using available furniture. "Colour affects mood, so I am using the psychology of colour." Mehta aims to target the middle market, with some "value addition so that price point does not change, but it becomes more appealing".
Goyal's copper and stainless steel creation has "evolved over time. What inspired me was the mesh." He explains, "Chairs don't fill only function today." And "Most products have to walk into the domain of being art as well. "You have to relate to the product as you would relate to art -- live with it, enjoy it."
Gupta works "in collaboration with the traditional craft community, using historical techniques, with contemporary relevance." She calls her work "sculptural". Her award-winning Dining Throne is a "minimalistic exploration of geometry that uses gold and silver leaf." The metals reflect light off each other. "This
enters the realm of sculpture."
The Art & Design Show, Hilton Towers, Mumbai, till March 30
