The Future Perfect chair exhibition gets a standing ovation

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Left, chair by Trueing. Right, chair by Kelly Wearstler
Left, chair by Trueing. Right, chair by Kelly Wearstler
(Image credit: Trueing, Kelly Wearstler)

For many, a chair is just a chair. It’s somewhere to sit down and rest your legs. It’s a small part of a matching dining room set. And, admittedly, it’s often an afterthought. But at the new exhibition, aptly named ‘The Chair’, The Future Perfect separates the chair from its strictly utilitarian reputation, revealing the magic in the mundane.

‘It’s an opportunity for chairs to be used as a canvas,’ explains The Future Perfect founder David Alhadeff. ‘That’s the nexus of the show. It’s not about the chair; it’s about your chair.’ Located at The Future Perfect’s gallery in New York’s NoHo neighbourhood, ‘The Chair’ features a series of one-of-a-kind seats from an international roster of artists and designers.

Alhadeff and Laura Young, The Future Perfect’s gallery director, invited 133 creatives to send submissions for the exhibition. From there, the team whittled down the contenders to 50 unique pieces, all of which are available for purchase.

Alex P White chair

(Image credit: Alex P White)

Chair by Seungjin Yang

Above, chair by Alex P White. Below, chair by Seungjin Yang

(Image credit: Seungjin Yang)

‘Every single chair has its own story, and I thought it was really important to tell those stories,’ Young explains.

With contributions from designers like Piet Hein Eek and Reinaldo Sanguino, Young says the exhibition aims to ‘create a river of chairs floating through space’. And, just like a raging river, there is excitement at every turn. The collection ranges from creations that resemble a conventional chair (like Chris Wolston’s wicker style) to museum-worthy masterpieces (like Karl Zahn’s abstract iteration).

Bower Studios melting chair

(Image credit: Bower)

Omer Arbel chair

Above, chair by Bower. Below, chair by Omer Arbel

(Image credit: Omer Arbel)

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and, whether you’re drawn to Ben Barber’s stainless steel chair or Seungjin Yang’s epoxy resin and balloon option, there’s something to appeal even the most discerning eye.

‘I think that the whole point of this is that there's something for everyone,’ Young says. ‘I really can’t choose a favourite, but I know where I would put each one in my home’.

Left, chair by Jorge Penades. Right, chair by David Weeks

Left, chair by Jorge Penades. Right, chair by David Weeks

(Image credit: Jorge Penades, David Weeks)

Left, chair by Desert Cast. Right, chair by Bec Brittain

Left, chair by Desert Cast. Right, chair by Bec Brittain

(Image credit: Desert, Bec Brittain)

Left, chair by Reinaldo Sanguino. Right, chair by Christian Woo

Left, chair by Reinaldo Sanguino. Right, chair by Christian Woo

(Image credit: Reinaldo Sanguino, Christian Woo)

INFORMATION

‘The Chair’ is on view until 1 June. For more information, visit The Future Perfect website

ADDRESS

The Future Perfect
55 Great Jones Street
New York
NY 10012

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