The Paradox of the Monobloc Chair | Turning Points in Design
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- Опубліковано 8 лют 2025
- You might not know its name, but when you see it, you’ll recognize the Monobloc chair. In this animated explainer, MoMA curator Paola Antonelli explores why the Monobloc chair embodies a paradox in the history of design. In some countries, it is mass-produced and quickly disposed of, while in others it is valued and repaired, reflecting different cultural perceptions of its worth. Its multifaceted nature symbolizes the complex culture of consumption in today’s world.
This animated series was made for the exhibition “Pirouette: Turning Points in Design” which highlights the role of designers at their most inventive and constructive, and demonstrates the power of design to translate human experience into tangible forms and envision a better future.
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The comments and opinions expressed in this video are those of the speaker alone, and do not represent the views of The Museum of Modern Art, its personnel, or any artist.
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Amazing work by the animator on this video!
Another great video MoMA. Could you please make sure to drop the credits in the description as well as at the end of the video? It makes it easier for us to recognize all these talented storytellers!
They will be around much longer that we will.
Especially after the Industrial Revolution, there is no one who is not dependent on or indebted to the advancements that followed.
Additionally, in both Chinese and Korean traditional stories, there is a saying "Iljang-ildan," which means "for every advantage, there is a corresponding disadvantage."
In this context, I deeply admire and applaud the exploration by MoMA curator Paola Antonelli.
I have defined the meaning and value of this project as "stopping to reflect on our past, present, and future."
I sincerely hope that Paola Antonelli's project proceeds successfully.
Good luck!
I wish this had some examples of repairs that went longer than quickly flashing some images. I was so intrigued for more and then suddenly it was over.
“I am the storm that is APPROACHING!”
It was also in Devil May Cry
very good writing, and an interesting explanation of something I didn't think about till now - that's Art - I guess.
Ah I do love sitting in this chair-
Wait, what's that noise?
*The storm is approaching, provoking the black clouds in isolation, it is a sign that someone is reclaiming, his name, and chair.*
Yo tengo en mi canal el estudio de cada una de las sillas que han hecho historia. Gracias MoMA ya tengo material para otro video
In one hundred years, these chairs will be in history museums and they will be used at diplomatic functions with no irony intended.
Wonderful chair.
And Bad Bunny!!
I am currently watching this video while sitting on a monobloc chair 🙂
Yup I have ten of those hanging out, stacked, in my backyard. Owned then for years. No plans on trashing them anytime soon.
People don’t appreciate it because its like air and we don’t pay much attention to it
Take a moment to check out Brian Jungen’s whale skeleton sculptures, made of these plastic patio chairs.
Thats awesome lmaooo
Designers have clearly solved the production side of things decades ago, but since then it seems like their's hardly been any progress on the sustainability side of things?
Over the years we've heard a lot from designers on the need for sustainability, but their doesn't seem to have been any meaningful breakthroughs in this field in the past few decades.
I think the problem is that capitalism only incentivises production, and not preservation or conservation?
So what's the solution? And what is the role of the designer in this? Are they doing enough?
Diz a lenda, que não há um brasileiro vivo que não tenha pelo menos um par dessa cadeira em casa. 😅
That isn't a paradox at all. You clearly don't know what the word "paradox" means
In Brazil we call it Beer Chair
Yooooooooooo!!!!
Henry Massonnet! Fauteuil 300 / Monobloc, 1972! the creator of monobloc babies~
The chair is against the wall.
That’s not really a paradox….
The Paradox of the Monobloc Chair | Turning Points in Design 3.2.25 1810pm fuck plastics!!!! we dont need 'em.. you can design and construct the perfect ergonomically correct piece of furniture via the heady craftsmanship of the past...