Design
- Place of origin:
London (designed)
- Date:
ca. 1999 (designed)
- Artist/Maker:
Azumi, Shin (designer)
- Materials and Techniques:
Graphite on paper
- Credit Line:
Given by the artist
- Museum number:
E.754-2008
- Gallery location:
Prints & Drawings Study Room, level E, case MD, shelf 40
The name of this bar stool, LEM, is short for 'Lunar Excursion Module', and together with the sleek, futuristic appearance, it brings to mind space travel. The design entirely derives from simplified geometry and refined engineering. The chief feature is the steel band that frames the moulded plywood seat and also serves as the footrest. There is nothing extraneous in the design, and nothing that could be described as decorative. Nevertheless, the economy and restraint of the form give it great elegance.
The LEM bar stool has been a major commercial and critical success for its Japanese-born, British-resident designers, and the Italian manufacturer, with over 200,000 being made since its launch in 2000. This example is from the first production run and was given to the Museum by one of the designers, together with design drawings charting its development.
