Sydney-based object and furniture designer Rachel Vosila has dedicated a whole year to making one chair a week.
The internationally-recognised artist's year-long project 'One A Week' was the challenge of designing and constructing a new, original chair every week for a year. That’s 52 chairs in 52 weeks. Of which will be on display in Brisbane during May.
The designer says she was concerned she'd have difficulty developing new, creative concepts from week-to-week, but was surprised by her ability to create and recreate new designs using different materials and tools.
Here are 5 things Rachel highlights as the most important considerations when making a chair:
Will it hold your weight? Check
While the chair has many functions, its primary is to support the seated body without breaking or falling over. I have made prototypes which don’t pass this first bench mark before, and I am damn sure I will make them again. Don’t let it get to you – if all else fails you can sit on the floor.
Comfortable? Check
Everyone has experienced that one chair, whether it be at school or the doctors office, which is unspeakably uncomfortable. You shift your bodyweight, hoping to find that sweet oasis of comfort without success (guess what, it probably doesn’t exist!). Some days I consider sewing a whole bunch of super plush pillows together and calling it a day, that works for me.Design and Materials? Check
It feels a little like blasphemy to combine design and materials into one checkbox, but from my experience in making a chair a week for a year (yes, 52 different chairs in 1 year) I found that my overthinking of these two processes was the biggest obstacle stopping me from actually getting it done. Up-cycle an old chair off the side of the road, ‘Ikea-hack’ that $5 stool everyone owns. Make do and it make your own, yes it still counts.
Presence? Check
Chairs not only occupy space, they contain space and serve as a marker or indicator within a room. Back height, upholstery, and an armrest all dictate how a chair is supposed to be used, and in turn influence the function of a space. Conform to the standards a dining chair or lounge chair should, or do something a little more atypical – I’m not giving you all my secrets.
Can you be bothered? Check
Making a chair for oneself is a liberating, cathartic and at times dangerous experience, one that I would highly recommend to those who dare. It may take some time, it may not cooperate at first but when you're finally able to step back upon completion the chair it will stand as a functional emblem of your blood, sweat and hard work, this baby ain’t going out onto the lawn at the next council collection.'One A Week' exhibits at Homemaker The Valley 20-26 May.
