Splinter Chair by Matthew Kroeker

A local Canadian rag has a profile up on Matthew Kroeker, who designed the Splinter Chair (above). We love hearing stories like this—after high school Kroeker spent two years as a ski bum (well, snowboard bum) at Whistler: “I didn’t have any idea what I was going to do, other than some vague inclination to become a commercial artist or graphic designer,” he says. [After moving to Toronto to take art classes,] “I found myself studying the objects that surrounded me every day, and I realized these things don’t grow on trees, so I started quizzing my art instructors about who designs this stuff.” He then discovered industrial design, and after putting a decade into it has been named one of Canada’s Ten Most Innovative Designers by the Interior Design Show.

via Core77

Bouquet Chair by Tokujin Yoshioka (2)

March 10th, 2008 Japanese designer Tokujin Yoshioka will launch Bouquet, a new chair for Italian brand Moroso, at the Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan next month. The chair was developed following Yoshioka’s installation at the Moroso showroom in New York last October, where he covered the interior with white tissue paper. See our earlier story. “The concept of Bouquet evolved from the tissue installation that was held in the Moroso showroom in New York in October 2007, in which approximately 30,000 sheets of tissue were used to create a clouds-like atmosphere,” Yoshioka explains. “The new chair Bouquet uplifts the sitter as well as a flower bouquet does it to the receiver. The vibrant colors would evoke one’s remembrance.” The chairs, shown here with tissue paper seats, are at prototype stage and will be made from fabric when they go into production.

via dezeen

Bench Deck Chair by Chih-Kang Chu

With the functions of a bench and a deck chair; it can be seated by only one person or shared with others in public space. In order to keep the balance and stability when folded, the original 4 legs are increased to 6 legs. With this 6-leg modeling, the body looks like a standing dancing lion when it is folded. 4 pieces of solid wood are glued, cut into 2, so it still matches when folded. The arc can fit the human body; the surface has gone through the CNC polishing treatment; the boards are jointed by tenons; the axle is made of steel. Due to the weight of the structure the bench transforms to a deck chair easily and keeps its balance. Designer: Chih-Kang Chu

via Yanko Design

An Lena Chair by Simone Harbert

This peculiar chair, called the An Lena chair, was created by Simone Harbert as part of a student exhibition at the Burg Giebichenstein College of Art and Design in Germany. The piece was a commentary on parasitism, as it supported itself from gripping two surfaces: the floor and the wall (I know, I know, I didn’t understand it either – anyhoo, the student expo is about Parasites & Hybrids). But the bigger question is, without looking at Simone’s website, would you say that the chair will be able to support your body? Or would you fall flat on your butt if you try to sit on it?

via Neatorama

Design Miami comes to New York City

The Big Apple and the beach will join forces with the three-day Design Miami/ New York Galleries, a collaboration between organizers of the annual Design Miami art fairs in Basel, Switzerland, and Miami and 11 of New York’s top design galleries. Encompassing a series of edgy design exhibitions, the event will be on view at locations throughout the city, March 25-27. Conceived as a design component to the slew of art exhibitions taking place for the prestigious contemporary art-based Armory Show, on view March 27-30, Design Miami/ New York Galleries will feature exhibitions of limited-edition and historic design in 11 Manhattan galleries. “While collectors and design enthusiasts were able to visit temporary booths organized by each of these galleries at Design Miami, this event will allow each institution to emphasize its own unique sensibility on its home turf,” says Design Miami director and cofounder, Ambra Medda. Subjects will range from innovation in contemporary design to the relationship between design and socio-political movements of the 20th century. Attendees will get an exclusive look at work by the likes of George Nakashima, Serge Mouille, Poul Kjaerholm, Charlotte Perriand, and Jean Prouvé. The eleven participating galleries are Antik, Christina Grajales, DeLorenzo 1950, Demisch Danant, Donzella 20th Century Gallery, Galerie Patrick Seguin, Johnson Trading Gallery, Magen H. Gallery, Moss, R20th Century, and Sebastian + Barquet. “This event is a wonderful chance for us to create an intimate experience for visitors in our own gallery that will help them to gain a deeper understanding of who we are,” says Antik cofounder Kim Hostler.

via Interior Design Net [note the article has since disappeared]