Design
1999 (designed)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
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.
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.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | |
| Brief description | Design for the Lem bar stool by Shin Azumi, circa 1999 |
| Physical description | Design for the Lem bar stool. |
| Credit line | Given by the artist |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | 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. |
| Associated object | W.37-2008 (Object) |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | E.758-2008 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | October 23, 2008 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSON
