Marilyn I Can See Your Knickers, bar stool
Stool
1999 (designed), 2001 (manufactured)
1999 (designed), 2001 (manufactured)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Design imbued with wit characterises the work of the Spanish-born, London-based, design team El Ultimo Grito. The shape of the seat, and the name of this bar stool, both evoke a famous scene from the 1955 movie 'The Seven Year Itch' in which the wind billowing from a subway grille raised Marilyn Monroe's skirt. Like a piece of fabric caught in the wind, the back of the stool is folded up from the single sheet of polypropylene, covered with felt upholstery, that makes the seat and sides. It is a neat practical solution and visual allusion that gives the stool its personality.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Marilyn I Can See Your Knickers, bar stool (assigned by artist) |
| Materials and techniques | Welded and coated square-section metal tube frame, one-piece upholstered seat and fabric back |
| Brief description | 'Marilyn I can see your knickers' bar stool; designed by El Ultimo Grito (Roberto Feo, Rosario Hurtado, Francisco Santos, Spanish, active London), 1999; manufactured by Hidden, the Netherlands, 2000; welded metal tube with upholstered one-piece seat and back. |
| Physical description | Bar stool, comprising a square-section metal tubular base incorporating a foot rest, supporting a one-piece upholstered seat and back. The fuchsia pink upholstery is stretched over a layer of polypropylene stiffening material, and in appearance the upholstered unit evokes the famous image from the 1955 movie 'The Seven Year Itch' in which the wind from the subway billows Marilyn Monroe's skirt. |
| Gallery label | 103-6
‘MARILYN, I CAN SEE YOUR KNICKERS’ BAR STOOL
Designed by El Ultimo Grito, London, 1999
Made by Hidden, The Netherlands, 2001
Metal, upholstery
El Ultimo Grito are Roberto Feo and Rosario Hurtado, Spanish graduates of the Royal College of Art who live and work in London (Francisco Santos also designed this stool but has subsequently left the group). In ‘The Seven Year Itch’ Marilyn Monroe’s skirt is lifted by the breeze from a passing subway train. The form of the folded one-piece seat and back of this stool evokes the incident, which suggested its name. A chair version is also made by Hidden.
Given by Hidden
W.668-2001 |
| Credit line | Given by Hidden |
| Summary | Design imbued with wit characterises the work of the Spanish-born, London-based, design team El Ultimo Grito. The shape of the seat, and the name of this bar stool, both evoke a famous scene from the 1955 movie 'The Seven Year Itch' in which the wind billowing from a subway grille raised Marilyn Monroe's skirt. Like a piece of fabric caught in the wind, the back of the stool is folded up from the single sheet of polypropylene, covered with felt upholstery, that makes the seat and sides. It is a neat practical solution and visual allusion that gives the stool its personality. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.668-2001 |
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| Record created | August 30, 2001 |
| Record URL |
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