Boom! Pow! Sit!!
The annual design pilgrimage to Milan, otherwise known as the Salone del Mobile, is almost upon us and one of the most eagerly anticipated events is the exhibition of 50 Manga Chairs designed by Nendo for Friedman Benda gallery.
Fans of manga and other comic strips would be familiar with the visual language employed, from action lines and speech bubbles to sunburst patterns expressing surprise. Whilst this has long been a source of inspiration for pop artists (notably Roy Lichtenstein), it is rather unexpected to see this translated into three- dimensional forms. For this exercise in comic interpretation Oki Sato at Nendo uses a sleek and simple metal chair as the starting point, with 50 modified versions showing different expressions. The result is surprising, lighthearted and instantly engaging. Should they ever decide to produce miniatures they would surely be a mega hit.
50 Manga Chairs, designed by Nendo, is on show at Facolta Teologica dell'Italia Settentrionale, Piazza Paolo VI, 6 from 12-17 April 2016.
Links
http://www.nendo.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/salone16_leaflet.pdf
http://www.friedmanbenda.com/exhibitions/current/nendo-50-manga-chairs/4
Shop the Style
Product Inspiration
Nendo is one of the most interesting designers of our time, well known for their clever, conceptual approach. A good example is the Softer Than Steel collection of furniture they designed for Desalto.
For quirky and elegant lighting inspired by unexpected sources try the Lampscape suspension lights from Frederik Roije and the Cape suspension light from Moustache.
Finell has a series of silicone containers that are sleek, minimal and quirky, just like the Manga chairs from Nendo.