CHAIR
THE CURRENT STATE OF THE ART, WITH THE WHO, THE WHY, AND THE WHAT OF IT
Peter Bradford, Barbara Prete

Peter Bradford, Barbara Prete (with contributions by Ward Bennett, Joe DčUrso, Charles Stendig, etc.): CHAIR: THE CURRENT STATE OF THE ART, WITH THE WHO, THE WHY, AND THE WHAT OF IT. NYC: Thomas Crowell, 1978. First edtion. A fine hardcover book in a near-fine dust jacket: one short closed tear on the spine. Interior unmarked and very clean. Out-of-print.

9.25x12.25 hardcover book with 140 pages and over 1,000 b/w photographs, illustrations and diagrams, with extensive captions and pertinent background information. A stunningly well-designed volume! A magnificent, early tribute to the modern chair, with essays by Ward Bennett, Joe DčUrso, Charles Stendig, Ralph Caplan, Niels Diffrient, Mary Blade, Nicos Zographos, and Donald Gratz. Including a large section of all the submissions of the 1977 American Institute of Architects chair design competition. Highly recommended.

A summary of discussions held at the Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt Museum by some of the world's most notable chair designers and marketers. Includes designs by Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Marcel Breuer, Le Corbusier, and more.

Contents:

  • Preface: the Cooper-Hewitt lectures
  • Ralph Caplan: his perspective, chairs as symbolism of civilization and cultures
  • Ward Bennett: Our sitting society, the pitch of proper seating, unchanging form
  • Joseph D'Urso: Inviting floors, interior landscapes, friendly terrains
  • Niels Diffrient: Objective performance, comfort indicators and compromises
  • Mary Blade: Physical forces and damages, your sitting behaviour, move
  • Nicos Zogaphos: Form first, pleasing and non-aggressive shapes
  • Donald Gratz: The magic methodology of making, unending care and craf
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  • Charles Stendig: Spiritied tastemaking, laced with humor, acument and pride
  • Exchange: Zographos, Gratz and Stending dialogue, varied personal revelations
  • Caplan continued: additional reactions
  • AIA 1977 International Chair Design Competition: informal jury comments

out of stock