The Art of Seating

Furniture enjoys a great interest in museum shows this summer.

The Art of Seating: 200 Years of American Design,’ at the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha, Nebraska is a traveling exhibition that was organized by the Museum of Contemporary Art, Jacksonville, Florida. It focuses on American design with a wide chronological scope, spanning from the early years of the 19th century to the present. It is a basic exhibition that comes to educate the public about the various aspects and identities that furniture holds, from the artistic, through the social, economic, political, and cultural aspects, while at the same time, portraying the various design movements of this period. It is reminding us of the rich artistic production of furniture during the 19th century, era rarely explored in recent years. 

Above: Harry Bertoia (1915-1978), Manufactured by Knoll Associates, New York City, NY, Large Diamond Lounge Chair, c. 1952; Photo by Michael Koryta and Andrew VanStyn, Director of Acquisitions, Conservation and Photography.

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Frank Gehry (b. 1929), Manufactured by Easy Edges, Inc. (active 1969-73), Los Angeles, CA, High Stool, 1971; Photo by Michael Koryta and Andrew VanStyn, Director of Acquisitions, Conservation and Photography

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Designed and Manufactured by Kenneth Smythe (b. 1937), Oakland, CA, Synergistic Synthesis XVII sub b1 Chair, 2003; Photo by Michael Koryta and Andrew VanStyn, Director of Acquisitions, Conservation and Photography

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Thomas E. Warren (active with American Chair Co. 1849-52), Manufactured by the American Chair Co. (1829-1858), Troy, NY, Centripetal Spring Arm Chair, c. 1850; Photo by Michael Koryta and Andrew VanStyn, Director of Acquisitions, Conservation and Photography

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Designed and Manufactured by Vivian Beer (b. 1977), Penland, NC, Current, 2004; Photo by Douglas J. Eng