Objectspace Chair Exhibition 2 Dec - 3 Mar
A chair at first glance might feel functional – something you sit on, something you put in your lounge, a design aesthetic – but a chair is much more than that. It's a mark on history, a moment in time reflection of society, a design feat. To hold a human body, a chair needs meticulous crafting – the physics need to be right, the material must be durable and strong, and the leg height must align to allow people of all sizes to comfortably place their feet on the ground.
A chair also tells a story – of the materials available at that time, the curves and lines that reflect period art, and the inspiration that a maker draws upon. And when you bring all these things together, really, a chair is much more than just a chair – it is an emotional, story-rich, spectacular artifact.
At Mr. Bigglesworthy, this deep appreciation for chairs is embedded in our DNA. It is one of the reasons why we do what we do. But we don’t want to keep this passion to ourselves! We hope others will glean as much understanding of design history and its significance to local history as we do.
We are proud to be supporting the Objectspace exhibition :
The Chair: A story of Design and Making in Aotearoa
Saturday December 2 – Saturday 3 March 2024
'The Chair' will tell the story of 110 chairs throughout 170 years of our history. Featuring 83 designers and makers, this event will allow people to explore the evolution of a chair, the materials involved, and the design philosophies. Starting with the story of the whalebone chair that resides today in the Auckland Museum, viewers will be taken on a journey to experience how the story of one chair leads to another chair and how iterations of chairs reveal subtle adaptations and innovations in our society.
Mr. Bigglesworthy is proud to be loaning a selection of eight chairs from our current collection to this exhibition to support this showcase of New Zealand history. We are also grateful to our customers who have purchased an additional group of four chairs and have generously loaned these to the event, sharing the beauty of these chairs with the wider community.
While we encourage you to visit the Objectspace exhibition to garner the full experience, we wanted to give you a sneak peek with a brief history of one chair that stood out to us in the history of Aotearoa and a few of our other favourites.
Tibor Donner, Executive Council Chair (1948)
Tibor Donner is a name you may or may not be familiar with. Originating from Hungary but settling in Auckland, Donner was the first appointed architect to the Auckland City Council in 1945. In 1949, Donner’s vision to transform the mayoral office in the Auckland Town Hall was met with controversy, with many Aucklanders’ believing his contemporary aesthetic, focused on visual lightness and functionality, was unappealing and even dubbed ‘the ugliest building in Auckland.’
Fortunately, there were some people who believed in his designs, with Professor P.W. Burbidge of the University of Auckland, arguing “If we are to be constrained by a desire to conform to tradition and fear of the new, we will end up with a dull and uninspiring city, with its civic features outdated before they are even constructed.” Donners work is now highly regarded and considered as a groundbreaking design perspective, despite the Auckland City Council overtime discarding most of Donner’s furniture. Donner’s chair, the Executive Council Chair, will be featured in the show at the Objectspace Exhibition book.
Image taken to accompany the Mr. Bigglesworthy New Zealand Modern Collection (2016) at McClew House designed by Ken Albert (1966). Photo / Steve Tilley
Featuring the Contour Chair (1950s) by Edzer Roukema for Jon Jansen. Image taken to accompany the Mr. Bigglesworthy New Zealand Modern Collection (2016) at McClew House designed by Ken Albert (1966). Photo / Steve Tilley
Bob Roukema’s Contour Chair, designed around 1953, marks a high point in New Zealand design. It’s one of the most sought-after chairs for both seasoned collectors and mid-century design enthusiasts. The form takes inspiration from Australian designer Grant Featherston’s groundbreaking Contour series of 1951 and shares almost identical outwardly splayed legs.
John Crichton Blind Institute Cane Chair (1950s)
This rare and playful woven cane chair is one of a number of cane chairs designed by John Crichton in the 1950s. He was familiar with the material and had developed other cane pieces that were crafted by members of the New Zealand Institute for the Blind in Parnell, Auckland.
The Blind Institute Cane Chair references the whimsical atomic style that was popularised in the United States during the 1950s. ‘Molecular’ legs are attached to a fluid, amoeba-like seat finished in contrasting black-and-white woven cane. A very narrow front profile allows the chair to be easily moved through doors and enjoyed in indoor and outdoor environments.
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French-born Stephane Rondel created some of New Zealand's most iconic furniture and design objects during the late 20th Century. His talent led to furniture commissions for the Élysée Palace in Paris and large scale, award-winning design projects in New Zealand.
The curvaceous 'Peanut' chair is Rondel's most iconic and collectable design. It features a cast aluminium filigree showcasing romantic ribbon-like detail. These special chairs were produced in small batches and are an inspired example of New Zealand produced design.
Stephane Rondel Peanut Chair (1991)
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