“In this research project, I have chosen to focus my investigation on a seemingly ordinary object: a chair. The specific chair I selected is situated within the courtyard of my apartment building and serves as a communal seating option.

Prior to commencing my observation, I engaged in a comprehensive exploration of Georges Perec’s literary work, ‘Species of Spaces and Other Pieces.’ (Species of Spaces and Other Pieces, 1997) Perec’s masterful use of descriptive language to narrate architectural space significantly broadened the horizons of my subsequent observations. Despite the seemingly rudimentary nature of observation methods, they possess the remarkable capacity to unveil fresh layers of meaning, allowing us to perceive the palpable, irreducible, and immediate aspects of the world.

In the initial stages of my investigation, I employed a diverse array of systematic approaches. These methods included meticulous measurements of the chair’s dimensions, detailed scrutiny of its angles, examination of telltale signs of wear and tear, and a comprehensive exploration of its internal spatial characteristics. Concurrently, I conducted a meticulous 3D scan of the chair, enabling me to view it from various angles and perspectives. This comprehensive exploration provided me with a profound understanding of the chair’s physical attributes, structural composition, choice of materials, and its immediate surroundings. However, one crucial facet remained unexplored: the dynamic interaction between humans and the chair.

During the second phase of my work, I undertook the task of documenting human behavior in proximity to the chair. This involved a detailed examination of how individuals engaged with the chair in their unique ways. To gain deeper insights, I personally experienced the chair, selecting seating positions that afforded maximum comfort and documenting my observations from these distinct vantage points. Subsequently, I closely observed individuals’ activities while seated in the chair. These activities encompassed conversations, smoking, and the sharing of photographs. Of particular fascination was the creative utilization of the chair by one young woman, who explored a multitude of unconventional postures and actions that had never crossed my mind. This phenomenon led me to perceive the chair not merely as an object but as a dynamic space, a stage, or even a canvas for personal expression. These observations triggered contemplation regarding the chair’s significance in the lives of individuals, prompting questions such as ‘What defines a chair?’ and ‘What factors influence the manner in which individuals employ chairs?’ I proceeded to meticulously categorize and deliberate upon the chair, dissecting it into its fundamental attributes, its environmental context, the materials comprising it, and its inherent composition. From my perspective, a chair comprises at least two essential elements: a supportive structural framework and a platform upon which one positions oneself.

During the subsequent phase of my research, I delved into Martino Gamper’s thought-provoking project, ‘100 Chairs in 100 Days.’(100 Chairs in 100 Days, 2007) In this project Gamper collected disused chairs from alleyways and friends’ homes and reassembled them — one per day — into poetic and often humorous forms. This endeavor adeptly intertwines considerations of form and function with profound sociological and semiotic inquiries. This exploration provided me with valuable insights. Subsequently, I embarked on a series of experiments, endeavoring to extract the chair’s materials and its environmental context for meticulous arrangement and manipulation. I sought to alter the material properties of the chairs and reposition them within their environments. This involved incorporating observations of human behavior in the chairs, typographical elements, and even the division and recombination of the chairs themselves. 

In this project I was confused, maybe because I hadn’t changed my way of thinking or because of a language barrier. I didn’t explore the interaction between the chair and the person in a meaningful way, but simply explained something that I hadn’t explored in depth.

In the future, I plan to reevaluate human behavior in the context of the chair, meticulously categorizing and documenting various unconventional usage patterns. Building upon my understanding of the chair’s structural composition, I intend to reconfigure its elements to create a miniature chair of my own.”

Bibliography:

Georges Perec and Sturrock, J. (1997). Species of spaces and other pieces : Georges Perec. London: Penguin.

Martino Gamper 100 Chairs in 100 Days. The Aram Gallery, 2007.