By Floris Wubben
The Future Perfect is pleased to present THE CHAIR, an exhibition of one-of-a-kind chairs from an international roster of artists and designers. Reinventing the chair is a singular challenge and one that begs the question: Why? For generations the function of a chair has remained the same: an object specifically made for seating a person. The history of the chair echoes human evolution and over the millennia, this item has symbolized every facet of the zeitgeist, from Napoleonic thrones to the humble plastic school chairs produced in mid-century America. The Dutch designers featured are Piet Hein Eek and Floris Wubben.
Piet Hein Eek was born in Holland in 1967 and graduated from the Academy for Industrial Design in Eindhoven in 1990. While at the Academy, he gained attention for his exam project Scrap Wood Cupboards. He sold all the cupboards and used the money to start his own design studio in 1992. The following year he partnered with fellow designer Nob Ruijgrok, establishing Eek en Ruijgrok v.o.f. Eek first developed an interest in old materials after restoring a cupboard for his sister; he thought the old wood looked nicer than the new. He has built his business around old materials, saving these discarded pieces of wood and working outside of the circuit of mass production. Eek’s work has exhibited at such venues as the Museum of Modern Art, New York; Salone del Mobile, Italy; and Cïbone, Tokyo.
Founded in Amsterdam in 2009, Studio Floris Wubben is an innovative design studio known for exceptional pieces that push the boundaries of form and function. Beyond his celebrated work with ceramics, the Dutch designer also creates mirrors, furniture, and lighting. Pushing the limits of material and craftsmanship, Wubben is known for bold experimentation. His studio is located in Amsterdam, a city increasingly recognized for its cutting-edge design scene. The studio’s designs are unique and each offer a new exploration of material and style.
Founded by David Alhadeff in 2003, The Future Perfect proudly features works from a diverse group of distinguished designers as well as emerging talent. With locations in both Manhattan and San Francisco, The Future Perfect acts as a premiere retail platform for art and design from around the world for all of North America and abroad.