Kun
Chair
1996 (designed), 2004 (made)
1996 (designed), 2004 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
The 1990s for China were a transitional period, moving from the traditional to the modern; this was also a period marked by anxiety. This chair captures the tension between tradition and modernity. The antique chair parts are counterbalanced with a new frame, meeting but never arriving at fusion, reflecting the contrasts between old lifestyles and new contexts.
Shao Fan is a sculptor and painter who freely experiments with various media. His name is often immediately associated with his reconstructed, or rather, deconstructed Chairs (?) series of 1996 of which this a part.
The Chinese character 'kun' conveys many meanings and in this chair Shao Fan plays extensively with these. The character 'kun' is a frame which contains wood, and this is played up in the design. The word also signifies being trapped, or a sense of being troubled, hinting at the mood of the times.
Shao Fan is a sculptor and painter who freely experiments with various media. His name is often immediately associated with his reconstructed, or rather, deconstructed Chairs (?) series of 1996 of which this a part.
The Chinese character 'kun' conveys many meanings and in this chair Shao Fan plays extensively with these. The character 'kun' is a frame which contains wood, and this is played up in the design. The word also signifies being trapped, or a sense of being troubled, hinting at the mood of the times.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | Kun (assigned by artist) |
Materials and techniques | MDF with catalpa and Chinese elm wood |
Brief description | 'Kun' chair, MDF with catalpa and Chinese elm wood, designed in 1996 and made in 2004 by Shao Fan, Beijing. |
Physical description | Chair made of joined MDF and wooden parts. |
Dimensions |
|
Style | |
Copy number | 1/12 |
Credit line | Given by Pearl Lam |
Summary | The 1990s for China were a transitional period, moving from the traditional to the modern; this was also a period marked by anxiety. This chair captures the tension between tradition and modernity. The antique chair parts are counterbalanced with a new frame, meeting but never arriving at fusion, reflecting the contrasts between old lifestyles and new contexts. Shao Fan is a sculptor and painter who freely experiments with various media. His name is often immediately associated with his reconstructed, or rather, deconstructed Chairs (?) series of 1996 of which this a part. The Chinese character 'kun' conveys many meanings and in this chair Shao Fan plays extensively with these. The character 'kun' is a frame which contains wood, and this is played up in the design. The word also signifies being trapped, or a sense of being troubled, hinting at the mood of the times. |
Other number | S9608 - serial number |
Collection | |
Accession number | FE.330-2005 |
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 | December 23, 2005 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSON