Laser Chair thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at Young V&A
Design Gallery, The Factory, Case 1

Laser Chair

Chair
2002 (designed), 2006 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The Laser Chair is part of Ineke Hans' Black Magic Collection and marries advanced technology to ideas of traditional craftsmanship. The elements of the chair are cut from MDF (medium density fibreboard), a ubiquitous modern construction material, using a laser cutter. The cutter is controlled by computer, ensuring a perfect reproduction of the design with each chair. However, the decoration derives from a simple paper cut, made by folding and snipping a piece of paper, and the laser faithfully reproduces the flaws and inaccuracies of the design, diminishing the technological character of the chair and suggesting hand craftsmanship. Furthermore, the decoration consciously evokes vernacular or folk design in a bid to reconnect with tradition and history, even though the chair is made using modern means and materials. The laser beam scorches the MDF as it cuts it, but the designer has chosed self-coloured black MDF for the chair to disguise this. The chair is produced in batches by the designer.


Object details

Category
Object type
TitleLaser Chair (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Laser cut MDF
Brief description
Chair, 'Laser Chair', designed by Ineke Hans, laser cut MDF, 2002
Physical description
A high backed chair without arms constructed of cut and shaped panels of black MDF with pierced decoration.
Dimensions
  • Height: 66cm
  • Width: 78cm
  • Depth: 76cm
  • Weight: 5kg (nifill)
Gallery label
  • 103-106 LASER CHAIR Designed by Ineke Hans (Dutch, born 1966), 2002 Made by Ineke Hans Collection, 2006 Laser cut MDF Dutch The decoration and structure of this chair consciously evoke folk art in a bid to connect modernity with tradition. The pierced decoration derives from a simple paper cut, but is produced in MDF by a computer controlled laser cutter. The flaws in the paper cut are faithfully reproduced by the laser, softening the technological character of the chair and suggesting hand craft. W.2-2006 Given by Ineke Hans(12/07/2007)
  • ‘Laser’ chair Ineke Hans (born Netherlands, 1966) 2002 Laser-cut MDF Unlimited batch production V&A: W.2-2006 Given by Ineke Hans In the ‘Laser’ chair Ineke Hans uses a cut-out pattern that refers to the fretwork decoration of vernacular furniture or boats.(14/07/2009-18/10/2009)
Credit line
Given by Ineke Hans
Object history
An example of the Laser Chair was exhibited in 'Milan in a Van' at the V&A 21 April - 9 June 2002.
Subjects depicted
Summary
The Laser Chair is part of Ineke Hans' Black Magic Collection and marries advanced technology to ideas of traditional craftsmanship. The elements of the chair are cut from MDF (medium density fibreboard), a ubiquitous modern construction material, using a laser cutter. The cutter is controlled by computer, ensuring a perfect reproduction of the design with each chair. However, the decoration derives from a simple paper cut, made by folding and snipping a piece of paper, and the laser faithfully reproduces the flaws and inaccuracies of the design, diminishing the technological character of the chair and suggesting hand craftsmanship. Furthermore, the decoration consciously evokes vernacular or folk design in a bid to reconnect with tradition and history, even though the chair is made using modern means and materials. The laser beam scorches the MDF as it cuts it, but the designer has chosed self-coloured black MDF for the chair to disguise this. The chair is produced in batches by the designer.
Bibliographic reference
Hinte, E. van and Hans, I., 'Black Bazaar: design dilemmas', 010- Publishers, Rotterdam, 2003
Collection
Accession number
W.2-2006

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Record createdApril 28, 2006
Record URL
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