While a piece of furniture should always be functional, it doesn't hurt for it to be a bit inspirational as well. British designer Tom Price is well known for his technique of melting materials such as rope, plastic or even discarded clothing to transform them into unique furniture pieces for the home. Looking at his work, I see a chair, but I also see the beauty of reinvention and transformation through the clever reuse of reclaimed materials.
The designer does not shy away from bright color, although he does have his share of pieces in more neutral shades of black, white or in metallics.
Here, the designer discusses his PE Stripe Meltdown Chair, a piece that is litterly bursting at the seams with vibrant, joyful hues.
The PE Stripe Meltdown Chair is made by pressing a heated metal chair-shaped former into a stack of colourful woven plastic rugs. The rugs begin to melt as they come into contact with the heated former, then set in the shape of the seat as they cool, creating a contrast in colour, form and texture.
The frame is made from solid stainless steel. This chair is a one-off prototype, but forms part of a series of chairs created using the same technique with different materials.
(Image:Tom Price)
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It looks to me like a muppet eating a chair.
No thanks.
This chair kind of embodies everything about Mardi Gras. Everything good AND everything bad. :)
Shut up. That is amazing!
Interesting. If I were to have something like this, I wouldn't use it as a functional chair though.
This is one of those things that will be hated or loved. But, not ignored or taken for granted. And that itself is a success. And, IMO, it's only success...
Wonderful on so many levels.
But is it art?? (Or a chair?) Because it doesn't look like either to me. Sorry!
*ignoring it*
Interesting idea. I prefer this bronze chair he did: http://www.tom-price.com/Meltdownchair%20Bronze1.html
Thorndale, that class sounds amazing!
So Avant-Garde. LOL.
I love Tom Price's rope chair in this video:
http://vimeo.com/groups/pomopensub/videos/26803072
From The Power of Making show at the V&A
I love it! Imagine against a crisp white wall...Ohhh, I'll take it since no one else seems to want it ; )
I'm to OCD to own this chair.
I assume the chair's uncomfortable and is art. The colors remind me of those delicate crystals kids used to grow from pellets dropped in liquid.
It also reminds me of coral reefs and certain watercolor paintings. I don't want to own it, but I like looking at it.
i know it's made of rugs... but it looks so pokey and sharp!!
really cool though. more art than functional
Beautiful! Doesn't look very comfortable, but I love it.
I bet everyone who sees this chair in person has an inquisitive and thoughtful reaction. What a great piece of art -- it is fun to look at, and gently obliges the viewer to reflect: "What IS a chair, anyway? What WAS this chair? For that matter, what will this chair be? Is it a chair if nobody ever sits in it?" Fabulous. Thanks, Tom Price!
I want one!
At first I thought it was a watercolour painting until I saw the closeup next to it. I like how it plays with the illusion created by different colours and textures . . . but I wouldn't sit on it.
wow, cool !