Our Chair Affair exhibition saw 10 young designers re-design the Sound Chair with a range of interesting results – from completely stripped back and painted versions to a chair with mechanical arms. The project has received a lot of positive exposure and generated a high footfall at our Tottenham Court Road store during the whole 10 day period including a successful evening event on the 21st.
Click here to have a glance of the 'Chair Affair' event >>
The Designers & Product Descriptions
Dedenuba by Katrin Baumgarten:
“Dust diffuses our essence through the commodities of banal routine. But like the dust we’ll rise and dance to a mysterious tune.”
Screw Me Up by Davide Bianchi:
This re-design of the Natuzzi Sound Chair retains the simplicity and the classic shape of the original model but 9,400 gold screws have been carefully added to the back, sides and headrest for a striking effect.
Backflip by Liqui Design:
A re-design of the Natuzzi Sound chair in the Liquid Design trademark style. We wanted to somehow change the silhouette of the Natuzzi Sound Chair and give it a unique look. After much deliberation and trialling of ideas a final solution was arrived at which neither added superfluous detail nor takes anything away from the beautiful curves of the original chair. Except of course we added a footstool.
Zero Gravity Sound Chair by Francesca Mancini:
An armchair that spins and rocks in a circular direction. The chair starts rocking with a slight push. Alternatively, you can simply sit on it. Or you can simply stop in a relaxed position.
Inspiration: “One day I was shopping in Hackney Wick and I happened to see a group of street dancers and rappers. Their evolution at the sound of a stereo has inspired the creation of the chair. “My” chair had to dance just like those guys, athletically joyful. In early August ZERO GRAVITY SOUND CHAIR was born. My project is not just a design work, but a design work that represents society and life in its entirety.”
GOoDGAME by Urban Upholstery:
A funn(rr)y toy for Adults! Urban Upholstery takes on Natuzzi to indirectly entertain their audience with words, visuals and texture. Sit back, listen to music and enjoy the comfort of this iconic piece of furniture. Fabrics: yellow felt (96% wool, 4% nylon), toy fur (10% acrylic pile), Hessian coffee bags.
Gordon by Melanie Porter:
A recovered Natuzzi Sound chair, given a ‘sweater’ in Melanie Porter’s trademark handknitted style.
Eden, the Tenango Sound Chair by Valentina Gonzalez Wohlers & Studio 180°:
The unique, colourful and eye-catching embroidery created by Mexico’s Otomi Indians are the inspiration behind Eden, the Tenango Sound Chair, a daring remix on the iconic Sound Chair which brings together a burst of Mexican colour and texture, Swiss precision and Italian designs. The chair is a vivid piece of furniture that stimulates all the senses. The Tenagos are hand-embroidered fabrics made by the Otomi Indians in Hidalgo, Mexico; common themes include mythical beasts, flowers and magical symbols portrayed through a satirical, essentially human lens on prewashed cotton canvas.
This project is a tribute to the craftsmen and women of Tenago de Doria, with a shared interest in preserving, communicating and supporting the work of the Otomi community.
Clam Chair by Joachim King:
An exploration of the use of flat sheet material to create a 3D curved shell; a practice common in boatbuilding to turn commonly available materials into a sleek, hydrodynamic shape. The American black walnut is twisted diagonally around the shape to give a sweeping, dynamic look to the faceted outer surface of the chair.
Raining by Ryan Todd:
Stripped down to the skeleton, the Natuzzi Sound Chair now becomes a framework that sustains 2 wooden canvases, hand painted with failing graphic icons that are prevalent in the artist’s work.
SK Chair by Artwerx:
Robert and David have taken the basic proportions of the existing Natuzzi chair and literally stripped it back to it’s conceptual structure, to expose an imaginary skeleton underneath which defines both the framework and also the form of the chair.
Discover the designers >>
More info on the iconic Sound Chair >>