Not a Chair
Disassembly & Reassembly2022
Parsons School of Design
Individual Project
The project involved dissecting a used chair to explore its materiality and components. Employing drawing, scanning, and digital manipulation to analyze its features,a circular approach was adopted and the disassembled chair was re-purposed.
The dissection of the seat cushion of the found chair reveals a complex history embedded within its layers. Through methodical cutting and careful examination, multiple strata of upholstery are uncovered, each reflecting the techniques and materials of its time. Remarkably, the investigation reveals a layer possibly filled with human hair, suggesting a connection to the era of enslavement in America.
This forensic delayering not only exposes the physical construction of the chair but also serves as a poignant reminder of the human stories and historical contexts woven into everyday objects.