#barcelonachairs

[normally0]

Contrasting Comfort: The Ideological Chairs of Mies van der Rohe and Gerrit Rietveld

Mies van der Rohe and Gerrit Rietveld were influential architects whose philosophies and designs epitomize contrasting ideologies within modernist architecture. While both sought simplicity and functionality in their work, their approaches diverged in their interpretation of comfort, aesthetics, and the relationship between architecture and the individual.

Mies van der Rohe, known for his famous Barcelona Chair, embraced the mantra of "less is more" and prioritized clean lines, open spaces, and industrial materials. His designs, influenced by the principles of Russian Constructivism, aimed for efficiency and minimalism. The Barcelona Chair, with its sleek lines and luxurious comfort, embodies Mies' philosophy of modernism, where form follows function, and every element serves a purpose. It reflects his belief that true comfort arises from simplicity and clarity in design.

On the other hand, Gerrit Rietveld, exemplified by his Red and Blue Chair, challenged conventional notions of comfort and aesthetics. As a member of the De Stijl movement, Rietveld advocated for pure abstraction and universality in design, reducing compositions to geometric forms and primary colors. The Red and Blue Chair, with its hard surfaces and bold colors, defied traditional notions of comfort, inviting the sitter to engage with space, color, and form. Rietveld's philosophy emphasized the awakening of consciousness and the integration of art into everyday life.

In comparing the two chairs, the Barcelona Chair represents a sleek and luxurious approach to comfort, prioritizing relaxation and ease, while the Red and Blue Chair challenges the sitter to be alert and engaged, emphasizing the relationship between the individual and the environment. Mies' philosophy of "less is more" contrasts with Rietveld's belief in the dynamic equilibrium of opposites, reflecting differing attitudes towards simplicity, comfort, and the role of architecture in shaping human experience.

Overall, the ideologies of Mies van der Rohe and Gerrit Rietveld manifest in their respective chairs, showcasing contrasting approaches to modernist design. While both architects sought to create meaningful and functional spaces, their interpretations of comfort and aesthetics diverged, reflecting broader debates within the architectural discourse about the purpose and meaning of design in the modern world.

[luxefurnishes1]

Silla Barcelona de Mies van der Rohe – Diseño Clásico Modernista

[chantaliris]

Barcelona chair - designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in 1929. It was designed to seat the King and Queen of Spain, if they attended the German Pavilion, during the Barcelona World Fair in 1929. Which one do your prefer, the white or black one? • First photo is from Pinterest; @demoiseiie. Second photo made by @elenamarah.fotografie. • • • #barcelonachair #barcelonachairs #blackbarcelonachair #whitebarcelonachair #lifestyleinspiration #lifestyleinspired #homeinspiration #livinginthenetherlands (bij Vrijheidslaan) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNMuc0qhAg5/?igshid=13a54zy5tjp2

[providentstyle]

A trip to the iconic Glass House, the country home of Philip Johnson. . . . . . . #philipjohnson #glasshouse #philipjohnsonglasshouse #newcanaan #connecticut #CT #midcentury #americanmidcentury #internationalstyle #modernisthome #countryhome #miesvaderrohe #barcelonachair (at The Glass House) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ciqtj1GOb5e/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[callumhughes]

Kobe Bryant on Barcelona chair, designed by Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich

[tiniigi]

[perspectivetoarchitecture]

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #architecture #miesvanderrohe #charlescorrea #digital #barcelonachair #india #geometry https://www.instagram.com/p/CIlVcZtM6Dx/?igshid=nbutnn0hmde5

[observationsandreflections]

Barcelona chair - proportion analysis, Mies van der Rohe, 1929 . Reference: Geometry of Design, studies in proportion and composition; Kimberly Elam - Princeton Architectural Press, 2001 . #architecture #geometryofdesign #composition #princetonarchitecturalpress #barcelonachair #mies #miesvanderrohe #goldensection #dynamicrectangles #triangle #ratio #proportion #pattern #rhythm #articulation #catalogue #visualreference #observations_and_reflections https://www.instagram.com/p/B4tZ_QRJn5z/?igshid=1qp1t131i2952

[anniemitchellcomdesign]

Communication Design - Week 9 

This week during our online lecture Andy discussed the transitions between pre-modernism, modernism and post modernism art movements. We discussed how post modernism themed art took a chaotic approach to design in comparison to modernism that celebrated the idea that “as long as you work hard capitalism will reward you”. We discussed further in the lecture Ettore Sottass’s work with the Memphis group and explored a range of his creations including the black chair above. What immediately took my attention was the whimsical take on the everyday item and how we discussed a very similar chair in week 7 which you can see below. Immediately despite sharing the same idea of a black chair the comparison in name alone shows a stark difference. I thought it would be interesting to investigate the similarities and differences between the chair designs in the paragraphs below. 

The Barcelona Chair  

As mentioned in my previous week 7 post, the Barcelona Chair was created in 1929 for the Barcelona International Exposition by the Bauhaus director Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in collaboration with fellow architect Lilly Reich. In terms of physical design it features two slim rectangular cushions over a light, stainless-steel frame. The chair frame was initially designed to be bolted together, but it was redesigned in 1950 using stainless steel, allowing it to be formed from one seamless piece of metal. Again this design reflects minimalism in all aspects.  

"Miss, Don't You Like Caviar?" Armchair

If the name doesn’t immediately strike you, the rest of Ettore Sottass work certainly will. Ettore Sottsass was the founder in the early 1980s of the Memphis Group and took inspiration from earlier movements such as Art Deco and pop art. Sottsass work was known for its variety and achieved playfulness through ornamentation and colour. Just looking at the chair initially while its not necessary the most out there piece by Sottsass you can see the shift from modernism when you compare it to its predecessor of The Barcelona Chair. Unlike the Barcelona Chair, this chair is not light and sleek. In contrast to the sleek legs of the Barcelona Chair, Sottass opts for solid block ‘heavy’ looking legs that almost reflective the opposing chromed steel legs giving a cluttered sensation. Unlike the inviting comfort and use of the Barcelona chair, Sottass’s chair is rigid and uninviting, almost posing the question “why are you even a chair if you not going to act like one?” This uninviting nature of the chair reflects the rebellion of the post modernism movement and shows a chaotic unstructured approach which becomes more prevalent through the Barcelona Chairs comparison. 

Image from: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/486854

[miniaturechairs-blog]

Barcelona chair and #Philadelphia architecture

[rosifeist]

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe Barcelona Chair, Paper Cut Out Art Prints available -> Rosi Feist @etsy (link in bio) . #cutouts #paperworks #handmade #collage #rosifeist #illustration #design #versusartists #collageart #papercollage #paperart #artwork #barcelonachair #rosifeist #sessel #chair #barcelonachair #stuhl #barcelonasessel #bauhaus #möbeldesign #furnituredesign #spain #barcelona #midcenturymodern #midcentury #modernarchitecture #vanderrohechair #ludwigmiesvanderohe #miesvanderrohe (hier: Berlin - Kreuzberg) https://www.instagram.com/p/B45TfY6iYnt/?igshid=1xvn3ls2ox3bl

[luxefurnishes1]

Shop the Iconic Barcelona Chair Collection

[treschicmedia]

#laketahoe views 🌲🌊 from a #barcelonachair 👏🏻 (at West Shore Lake Tahoe) https://www.instagram.com/p/B0bn-rcg1sU/?igshid=iu5kshdbn35p

[mrckmpr]

art and architecture /// #dreischeibenhaus #iconic #architecture #tonycragg #sculpture #art #barcelonachair #interior #red #silver #black #foyer #instagood #instagram (hier: Dreischeibenhaus) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoIQjkQKw7V/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[tiniigi]

boxercup

[perspectivetoarchitecture]

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #architecture #miesvanderrohe #charlescorrea #digital #barcelonachair #india #geometry https://www.instagram.com/p/CIlVaQ0MwOL/?igshid=ly4faeluqgvy