A Piece of Modern History
A well known modern furniture marvel, the Wassily chair, was designed by Marcel Breuer. It was also known as the Model B3 chair and can be argued by some as the most iconic furniture designs of all time. Breuer designed this chair in 1925 while working as the head of the cabinet making workshop at the Bauhaus. The Bauhaus School was inspired by a German government organization, Werkbund, that was interested in promoting their art and designs to the world. The Bauhaus School was known for using the materials popular to the Modern Furniture movement in a way of making them more accessible to the people. Their philosophy, along with that of the Werkbund, was to blend the discipline of art and technology with the materials and ways of the modern furniture movement. The marvel in the design of Marcel Breuer’s Wassily Chair is because of his use of tubular steel and leather strapping.
Another chair that represents the design movement of the Bauhaus school is the Barcelona chair. It is considered by many, not only as furniture, but as functional art. The Barcelona chair was designed by Mies Van Der Rohe and Lilly Reich in 1929. Mies Van Der Rohe and Lilly Reich were two members of the German organization, Werkbund. The Barcelona chair was designed for an international design fair in Barcelona. The creation and design of the Barcelona chair was inspired by the folding chairs used by the Egyptian Pharaohs, the “X” shaped footstools used by the Romans and was dedicated to the Spanish royal family.
Because of the creativity and ingenious designs of people such as Lilly Reich and Marcel Breuer, contemporary furniture designers and manufactures are evolve from their philosophies. New materials are still being sought and unique ways to produce designs while encompassing the simplicity of the modern furniture movement. Contemporary designers are using the philosophies of the past in order to create and go beyond. They are looking for new. However, the ornate and elaborate designs of the past that gave way to the modern furniture movement were considered to be the symbol of value. This is no longer the case. The modern classic furniture of today is the new icon.
